Bodkin / Patterns

Pederson's Sowbug

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Curved scud / nymph hook, 1X short, 14-18
  • Thread Gray 8/0

Materials

  • Fine dubbing Gray with a touch of pink/tan (body)
  • Wire Silver or copper wire (small, rib)
  • Clear scud back / thin skin (optional) Clear scud back thin skin (shellback)
  • Pearl flash (optional) Pearl flashabou (few strands under shellback)

How to tie it

  1. Start the thread behind the eye and wrap to the bend, catching in the wire rib (and a strip of scud back at the bend if using one).
  2. Dub a slightly flattened, chunky gray body along the whole shank, a touch fatter in the middle like a real sowbug.
  3. If using a shellback, pull the scud back (over a few pearl strands) forward over the top and secure at the eye.
  4. Rib forward with 5-6 evenly spaced turns of wire to segment the body and pin the shellback, then helicopter off the tag.
  5. Pick out the dubbing along the sides with a bodkin so it looks leggy and buggy.
  6. Build a small head, whip finish and cement.

Tying videos

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