Bodkin / Patterns

Mangy Caddis Bead

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Curved scud/caddis hook (barbed Kumho scud), 12
  • Thread Tan 8/0 (Uni)

Materials

  • Slotted tungsten bead Black bead (2.8mm)
  • Copper wire (medium (rib))
  • Bug back strip Gold middle ('baby bug back')
  • Dubbing Frog (Arctic Wind ZMIX)

How to tie it

  1. Slide a 2.8mm black slotted tungsten bead onto a size 12 curved scud hook. Start 8/0 thread behind the bead, adding a few wraps up inside the bead until it stops the bead twisting, then lay a light base back to the bend.
  2. Tie in a length of medium copper wire, slotting it into the bead slot, and bind it evenly along the shank to the bend.
  3. Cut a taper on the end of a gold 'baby bug back' strip and tie it in at the bend with a pinch wrap, stretching it back so it lies straight on top of the shank.
  4. Dub a slim, fairly even grub-shaped body (little taper) with frog-colored ZMIX dubbing forward to just behind the bead.
  5. Stretch the bug-back strip forward over the top of the body and tie it down behind the bead, keeping it centered.
  6. Wrap the copper wire forward in about four to five evenly spaced turns over the back, wiggling the bug-back aside as needed; tie off and helicopter to break the wire.
  7. Fold the bug-back tag back and trim it, then dub a small pinch of dubbing to form a short scruffy collar behind the bead.
  8. Put a drop of superglue on the thread, whip finish and trim.

Tying videos

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