Fly #1 in the Series
Tying the Bead Head Wooley Bugger
Difficulty Level: 2 out of 5.
All of the steps are pretty basic, but if you decide to add your own enhancements and options it becomes a little more challenging. The most difficult step is winding the hackle, but get yourself some good hackle pliers and it will be an easy job. According to the Fly Tying Bible (you need this book if you are even thinking of ever tying a fly) this is a 3 out 5 for tying difficulty.
Materials:
- #4 Streamer Hook
- Brass or Copper Bead Head
- Lead Wire (optional)
- Black Thread
- Black/Olive Strung Marabou
- Black/Olive Hackle
- Black/Olive Chenille
- Red Floss (optional)
Start by pinching down the barb on the hook with a set of pliers.
Slide the bead head over the hook and forward to the eye of the hook
(Optional) Wind the Lead Wire from the bend of the hook forward to the eye.
Wrap the thread approximately 5 times just behind the lead wire at the hook bend and catch in a bunch of marabou, stem of the hackle, and the Chenille. Continue winding the thread forward to the eye, which also serves to secure the lead wire in place.
Wrap the chenille forward to just short of the bead head and catch in place with several wraps of thread.
Wind the hackle forward and catch in place with thread behind the bead head. Tie off the thread and add head cement to finish the fly.
Options: You can create variations of this fly very easily, just by changing the color scheme of the fly, substituting olive for black in any of the material, from all olive to all black, and a mix of colors in between. On an all black version, create an egg-sucking leach by skipping the bead head and using red floss to build up a red, egg shaped portion just behind the hook eye.
The Fly Box:
