Bodkin / Patterns

Rainbow Prince-Beadhead

Nymph · Trout · Grayling · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 1XL nymph, down-eye (e.g. TMC 5262), 12-16
  • Thread Black 8/0 (70 denier)

Materials

  • Bead Gold bead (1, sized to hook)
  • Goose biots (tail) Brown goose biots (2)
  • Peacock herl (body) Natural peacock herl (2-3 strands)
  • Tinsel rib Pearl/rainbow (1 strand)
  • Hen hackle (collar) Brown hen hackle (1 feather)
  • Goose biots (wings) White goose biots (2)

How to tie it

  1. Slide a gold bead onto the hook, seat it behind the eye, then start thread and lay a base to the bend.
  2. Tie in two brown goose biots as a splayed V tail, one hook-gap long; a drop of glue holds the splay.
  3. Bind a strand of pearl/rainbow tinsel and 2-3 peacock herls at the tail, twist the herls into a rope, and wrap to the 75% mark; tie off.
  4. Rib forward with 4-5 open turns of the rainbow tinsel for flash and to protect the herl, then tie off and snip.
  5. Wind 2 turns of brown hen hackle as a collar and sweep it into a beard.
  6. Tie two white goose biots flat over the back in a shallow V, tips to the hook point.
  7. Build a small head at the bead, whip finish, and cement.

Tying videos

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