Bodkin / Patterns

Rickard's Seal Bugger

Streamer · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 2XL-3XL streamer (TMC 9395), 6-10
  • Thread Black or to match 6/0

Materials

  • Lead wire - (~20 turns)
  • Marabou tail To match body (1 sparse plume (1.5x shank))
  • Seal/Simi Seal dubbing Black with a touch of reddish-brown (as needed)
  • Saddle hackle Contrasting (e.g. grizzly) saddle hackle (1 feather)
  • Flash (optional) To match lateral scale (few strands)

How to tie it

  1. Wrap about 20 turns of lead wire along the shank; start thread and lock the wraps.
  2. Tie in a sparse marabou tail about 1.5 shank lengths at the bend, adding a few strands of flash if desired.
  3. Tie in a saddle hackle by the tip at the bend, then dub a shaggy Simi Seal body forward to just behind the eye.
  4. Palmer the hackle forward through the body in 5-6 open turns, this gives the fly its breathing motion, and tie off behind the eye.
  5. Sweep any stray fibers back and build a neat thread head.
  6. Whip finish and cement.

Tying videos

← All fly patterns