As Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions notes in his latest video, it’s hard to think of a fish that won’t eat a well-presented Woolly Bugger. Tim’s steelhead-specific pattern offers a few tweaks to the original however. Designed to be fished on the swing, it’s tied on a traditional, loop-eye salmon/steelhead hook, features a much bulkier body, and uses part of a marabou feather that most tiers throw away. I also love the way that Tim works backward and forward to create an incredible durable fly.
Steelhead Woolly Bugger
Hook: Salmon/steelhead hook (here a Dai-Riki #899), size 6.
Thread: Black, 6/0 or 140-denier.
Tail: Black marabou blood quill.
Body: Peacock herl.
Hackle: Sculpin olive saddle hackle.
Adhesive: UV-cure resin.
Tools: Hackle pliers, bodkin.
This is a great pattern and works great on trout too. I usually put a few strands of black Krystal flash in the tail and also tie some with black or brown hackle as well. As always a great video!
“Use the index finger of your left hand to completely cover the camera.” Great line!