Instructions on how to tie a seasonally timely fly
Crystal Chenille Woolly Bugger
By Elaine Cook
Crystal Chenille Woolly Bugger
By Elaine Cook
With the upcoming fishout to Los Padres Reservoir on April 24-25, the question for those of us going is, "What fly is likely to work?" Well, our fishmaster Tim says, "Don't leave home without this one." As a side, this pattern is great in most stillwaters.
Hook: TMC: 5263 (3x long), Mustad: 38941, sizes 8-14
Bead: Medium or Large bead, depending on the size of the hook
Thread: Black, 6/0
Tail: Black Marabou
Flash: Silver Flash-a-bou
Body: Crystal chenille as wide as about 1/3 hook gap, olive or olive/black
Hackle: Grizzly saddle or neck
1. Crimp barb.
2. Thread bead onto hook point end with small opening first. (Note) A few wraps of lead behind bead can be added to make fly go real deep (that may be needed).
3. Attach thread behind bead. Build up behind bead to help hold it forward.
4. Wrap thread to rear of shank. If using lead as well, wrap thread over it a few times.
5. Select large clump of fibers from side of marabou stem, lining up tips before cutting loose from stem. Fibers should be longer than hook length.
6. Bring cut ends together and tie in on top of hook shank. Pinch off straight tips (do not cut), about equal to hook length.
7. Tie in 4 strands of flash-a-bou, the length of tail.
8. Prepare body by peeling off the fuzz on one end, exposing -" of the core. Tie in at rear of shank on bottom side. Advance thread 1/8" forward.
9. Select hackle with barbs equal to 1x the hook gap. Strip off fuzz at end. Cut several barbs short on side of stem at butt end. Tie in butt end with tip of hackle feather to rear and shiny side toward you.
10. Wrap thread forward to behind bead.
11. Wrap crystal chenille forward to behind bead. Tie off, cut excess.
12. Wrap hackle forward using see-saw method to keep from matting down chenille fibers.
13. Tie off behind bead, cut excess.