Black Beauty
Description
The Black Beauty is Pat Dorsey’s slim midge-pupa pattern for tailwaters, spring creeks, and stillwaters. Its black thread abdomen, fine copper rib, and sparse dubbed thorax match dark chironomid pupae, especially through winter and early spring.
Materials
- thread and body: Black 8/0 or 70-Denier Thread
- head: Black Head Lacquer
- thorax: Black Superfine dubbing
- ribbing: Extra-Small Copper Ultra Wire
- hook: Scud/Emerger Hook
Tying Instructions
- 1.
Secure the hook in the vise with the shank level and start the black thread one eye length behind the eye.
- 2.
Wrap the thread back in touching turns to the point above the hook barb, keeping the underbody smooth and slim.
- 3.
Tie in the extra-small copper wire along the near side of the shank and carry the thread forward to the thorax position.
- 4.
Build a slender, lightly tapered black thread abdomen forward to about two eye lengths behind the eye.
- 5.
Spiral the copper wire forward in five or six evenly spaced turns and secure it at the front of the abdomen.
- 6.
Helicopter the wire close and cover the cut end with tight thread wraps.
- 7.
Dub a very small amount of black superfine dubbing onto the thread and form a compact thorax without crowding the eye.
- 8.
Build a neat thread head, whip finish, and apply head cement.