Paul's January 2015 Fly of the Month

Peacock Bugger

 

Hook:  3x or 4x streamer hook.  This bugger can be tied in Sizes #6-#10.  By far the most productive size for me has been in a Size #10.  Great small bugger on small and big waters.

Tying thread:   Olive or brown thread.

Head:  Black or gold bead to match hook.  I tend to do better with a black bead.

Tail:  Black marabou flanked with two pieces of Peacock Krystal Flash.

Body:  4-5 strands of peacock hurl twisted around a thread tag to form a dubbing rope. 

Rib (optional):  Peacock Krystal Flash.

Hackle:  Black saddle hackle.

Every once in a while I’ll have to highlight a Wooly Bugger as a Fly of the Month.  It is just one of the best trout flies ever created.  On occasion I’ve also repeated a Fly of the Month because it’s been super productive.  That’s happened 3-4 times over the 30 years that I’ve been doing this.  This is the only time a pattern has appeared as the FOTM 3 times.  Why?  Well it is one of my top 5 “go to” flies.  It is deadly on small streams and big rivers.  When I was an inexperienced fly fisherman, it was one of the first flies that caught fish after fish for me.  It works all year long if you fish it in a small size.  

Begin by placing your bead head on the hook.  Start your thread behind the bead and layer it to the bend of the hook.  Tie in your marabou tail.  It should not be longer than the hook shank length.  One of the things I like about the small size of this bugger is a lot of “short strikes” are avoided.  Next flank the marabou with two strands of peacock krystal flash. (Option:  If you want to rib your fly do not clip/save 1 tag end of the krystal flash and palmer it later.)  Now tie in your saddle hackle by the tip. Next, tie in 3-5 strands of peacock hurl.  Create a tag end of the thread similar to how you would create a dubbing loop.  Advance your thread up to the bead.  Twist the thread and strands of peacock hurl into a rope.  The thread will provide extra durability for your fly.  Palmer your “rope” forward along the hook shank, creating an even body.  Tie it off.  Next, palmer your hackle forward in the opposite direction.  Give it additional wraps before the bead to create a collar on the fly.  Tie it off and apply head cement to the final wraps. Your done!  The peacock bugger can be fished with nymph, wet fly, or streamer techniques. 

This fly can also be viewed at the Housatonic Fly Fishermen’s Association website at  www.hffa.net and www.tightlinesflyfishing.blogspot.com .  If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of The Month I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .