Bodkin / Patterns

Prince Bead

Nymph · Trout · Advanced · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 2XL nymph hook (TMC 5262 or similar), 12-16
  • Thread Black 8/0

Materials

  • Bead Gold bead (1, sized to hook)
  • Lead-free wire Silver lead free wire (8-10 turns (optional))
  • Goose biots (tail) Brown goose biots (2)
  • Peacock herl Natural peacock herl (3-4 strands)
  • Flat tinsel (rib) Gold oval tinsel (1 length)
  • Goose biots (wing) White goose biots (2)
  • Hen hackle (collar) Brown hen hackle (1 feather)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the bead onto the hook small-hole first and seat it against the eye. Add 8-10 turns of lead-free wire behind it, shove them into the back of the bead, and start the thread behind the wire.
  2. Tie in two brown goose biots at the 75% mark so they splay into a shallow V, tips reaching about half a shank past the bend. Bind the butts forward to smooth the underbody.
  3. Catch in a length of flat gold tinsel and the tips of 3-4 peacock herls at the tail base; leave both hanging.
  4. Twist the herls into a rope and wind forward in touching turns to just behind the bead for a plump body; tie off. Half the peacock you think.
  5. Counter-wrap the gold tinsel forward in 4-5 evenly spaced open turns (opposite direction locks the fragile herl), tie off, snip.
  6. Tie in the brown hen hackle by its tip and take 2 sparse turns for a soft collar; sweep the fibers back and pin them with a few wraps.
  7. Lay two white goose biots flat over the body, curving down and out into a V-wing reaching the body midpoint; bind at the bead, snip the butts.
  8. Build a small thread head behind the bead, whip finish, add a drop of cement.

Tying videos

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