Black Woolly Bugger

beginnerstreamerleechsculpinbaitfishnymphyear roundcold waterstillwaterstreamtrout

Description

The Black Woolly Bugger is a dark streamer for leeches, small sculpins, baitfish, and large swimming nymphs. It works in streams, tailwaters, ponds, and lakes when fish are feeding low or when stained water calls for a strong silhouette. This unweighted version is a good beginner streamer because it teaches tailing, chenille bodies, palmered hackle, and wire ribbing in one durable fly.

Materials

Tying Instructions

  1. 1.

    Secure the hook in the vise and start the black thread two eye lengths behind the eye.

  2. 2.

    Wrap a smooth thread base back to the bend.

  3. 3.

    Tie in a sparse bunch of black marabou at the bend, one hook shank long.

  4. 4.

    Bind the marabou butts along the shank and return the thread to the bend.

  5. 5.

    Tie in the copper wire at the bend and leave it hanging to the rear.

  6. 6.

    Tie in a black saddle hackle by the tip at the bend with the dull side facing forward.

  7. 7.

    Tie in the black chenille at the bend and advance the thread to two eye lengths behind the eye.

  8. 8.

    Wrap the chenille forward in touching turns and tie it off behind the eye.

  9. 9.

    Palmer the saddle hackle forward over the chenille in open, even turns and tie it off.

  10. 10.

    Counter-wrap the copper wire forward through the hackle to protect the stem, then tie it off behind the eye.

  11. 11.

    Build a small black thread head, whip finish, and apply black head lacquer.