Paul's May 2021 Bonus Fly of the Month

 Jigged Golden Retriever

Hook:  Tiemco TMC Size #8 413J Jig Hook.

Bead:  Gold Tungsten Slotted bead 5/32”.

Tying thread:   Red Danville’s Flat Waxed Nylon.

Weight:  Lead Wire .025.

Tail:  Wooly Bugger Tan Marabou.

Body:  Gold Estaz standard size. 

This fly originates from the Mossy Creek Fly Shop in Harrisonburg, VA.  It’s a variation of a bugger called the Golden Retriever, which is tied on a standard streamer hook.  (It was a featured Fly of the Month many years ago)  I’ve been tying more and more streamers on a jig hooks lately.  The jerking action created by the jig hook makes this fly so much more deadly.  It also helps to prevent snagging bottom.  Some fly guys know that this is one of the ‘secret magic flies’.  It catches fish everywhere and if you fish Grand Lake Stream in ME, this fly is a must in your box.  You can tie these in a variety of colors, but this fly has made it’s name with gold Estaz and a tan Marabou tail.  A great fish catcher that can also be used as an anchor fly that gets your rig deep. 

Normally you can use a thread of your preference for the flies I feature.  In this case I strongly recommend you use Danville’s Flat Waxed Nylon.  

To tie this fly place your tungsten bead on the hook.  With the hook in your vice,   start you Lead Wire on the hook shank at approximately the location above the hook point.  Make wraps up to the bead.  Break off your lead wire.  Next, start your Red Thread behind the Lead wraps to lock it in place.  After you create a thread dam behind the lead, wrap your thread forward covering your lead wraps. 

Make sure all of the lead is covered.  Your ‘underbody’ should be all Red thread.

Advance your thread back to the end of the hook shank.  You’re now going to tie in your Marabou Tail.  It should be 1 to 1 ½ hook shank in length.  When you tie it in your actually filling in the hook shank behind your lead wraps to create an even symmetrical fly body.  Next, tie in your Gold Estaz at your Marabou tie in point.  Make sure the Estaz fibers are facing ‘down’ when you tie it in so that the fibers end up pointing rearward on the hook.  Now, palmer the Estaz forward making even wraps that leave some of your Red Thread underbody exposed.  When you wrap it forward with one hand stroke the fibers rearward with the other hand.  End your wraps behind the bead.  Tie the Estaz off with your thread.  Clip off the butt end.  Whip finish the fly with your thread creating a small red ‘hotspot’ behind the bead.  Apply some head cement. 

Mossy Creek Fly fishing has a great instructional video on how to tie the Jigged Golden Retriever below:

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 at pdinice@frontier.com .