Bodkin / Patterns

Rowley's Balanced

Streamer · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 60-degree jig hook, 10-14
  • Thread Black 8/0

Materials

  • Tungsten bead Silver or black bead (1, sized to hook)
  • Balance pin (straight pin/nymph pin) n/a (1)
  • Marabou (tail) Black, maroon, or olive marabou (1 plume)
  • Krystal Flash Pearl/red flash (2-4 strands)
  • Micro chenille or dubbing (body) To match tail (body length)
  • Ice dub (collar) UV to match ice dub (pinch)

How to tie it

  1. Thread a bead onto a straight balance pin and lay the pin along the top of the shank so the bead sits about a bead's-width beyond the eye. Lash the pin down firmly along the front third, jam the bead against its stop, and lock it with thread and a drop of superglue.
  2. Wrap the thread back to the bend.
  3. Tie in a marabou plume at the bend for the tail, about one shank length, plus 2-4 strands of Krystal Flash the same length.
  4. Tie in micro chenille (or spin dubbing on the thread) and wrap the body forward to just behind the bead; tie off.
  5. Dub a short UV ice-dub collar behind the bead and brush it out.
  6. Whip finish behind the bead and cement; hang the fly from a loop of tippet at mid-shank to confirm it rides dead level, and adjust the bead position if it tilts.

Tying videos

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