Bodkin / Patterns

Mercury Black Beauty

Midge · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Standard midge, 18-24
  • Thread Black 10/0

Materials

  • Bead Silver-lined glass (1)
  • Body Black thread (taper)
  • Rib Fine copper (spiral)
  • Thorax Black dubbing (wisp)

How to tie it

  1. Slide a silver-lined glass bead to the eye and mount the hook. Start thread behind the bead.
  2. Bind in a length of fine copper wire at the bend to hang for the rib.
  3. Build a slim, slightly tapered black thread body forward. Thin at the bend, a touch fuller toward the thorax.
  4. Spiral the copper wire forward in 4-5 evenly spaced turns to segment the body, then helicopter it off.
  5. Dub the barest wisp of black dubbing for a thorax right behind the bead.
  6. Whip finish behind the bead and add a tiny drop of head cement.

Tying videos

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