Bodkin / Patterns

Polywog

Salmon/Steelhead · Steelhead · Salmon · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook salmon/steelhead wet-fly hook, 2-6
  • Thread Orange or black 3/0 (or GSP)

Materials

  • Bucktail or arctic fox (tail) Orange, pink, or black bucktail arctic fox (1 clump)
  • Flash Pearl or Flashabou (few strands)
  • Chenille (body) Orange, pink, or black chenille (1 length)
  • Deer belly hair (head) Natural or dyed deer belly hair (1-2 clumps, spun)
  • Rubber legs To match rubber legs (1 pair (optional))

How to tie it

  1. Start thread at the bend and tie in a bucktail tail about one shank length long, with a few strands of flash.
  2. Tie in bright chenille and wrap a full body forward to the 70% mark, then tie off.
  3. Optionally tie a set of rubber legs low along each side.
  4. Spin one or two clumps of deer belly hair in front of the body, packing each tight against the last, up to the eye.
  5. Whip finish at the eye and take the hook out of the vise.
  6. Trim the spun hair to a broad, flat-faced wedge (tall and wide at the front, tapering back) leaving a wide face that pushes water so the fly wakes and skates.
  7. Leave a few longer hairs at the rear as a collar and add head cement to the whip finish.

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