Bead Head Copper John
for Pyramid and Crowley Lake
submitted by Elaine Cook
Experience speaks highly for this fly. It is a totally deadly fly for these destinations and has been used successfully for years in the traditional pattern of copper wire and copper bead head. There are a lot of hooks and colors that are successful and to have a variety in your fly box might just be the ticket. This fly can be used trailing, nymphing, or "bobbercating."
| Hook: | THC 5262 size 12, 3761 size 12, 2457 sizes 10-12 (these are heavier wire with large gaps and a better hook for Pyramid |
| Bead: | Gold to match size of hook, copper for traditional |
| Thread: | Black 6/0 or 8/0 (use 8/0 on smaller flies) |
| Tails: | Brown biots |
| Body: | Small to medium sized wire; red, chartreuse, gold, blue, or copper (traditional) |
| Wing Case: | Mylar |
| Thorax: | Peacock herl |
| Legs: | Brown biots |
1. Crimp barb.
2. Feed bead onto hook, small hole first.
3. Attach thread behind bead, wrap to rear of shank.
4. Tie in two biots, length equal to 1/2 hook shank, with curve of biot flared outward.
5. Wrap thread up to 1/3 back on shank.
6. Lay wire on top of shank, tip first, wrap in place with close wraps of thread to rear of shank.
7. Wrap thread forward to 1/3 back on shank.
8. Wrap wire forward in touching wraps to thread, tie off with thread, bend wire back and forth to cut wire.
9. Tie in strips of Mylar so it extends out over rear of fly.
10. Tie in one to three strands of peacock herl (depending on size of fly), make loops and twist to channel peacock.
11. Wrap peacock forward so that it covers part of forward wire up to 1/16" behind bead, (see diagram), remove tool from loops of peacock channel, but leave hanging.
12. Bring Mylar forward over thorax, tie off, cut excess.
13. Tie in legs, one on each side, length of 1/3 hook shank, this time so that tips curve inward, tie off, cut excess.
14. Advance thread to behind bead.
15. Retwist peacock, make a couple wraps up to bead, tie off, cut excess.
16. Whip finish, pulling thread snuggly behind bead, cut thread.