The Woolly Bugger

Dressing

Hook:- Long shank lure size 6 to 14
Silk:- Uni Thread, 8/0 hot orange.
Tail:- Olive Green Marabou
Flash:- 2 strands olive crystal flash
Rib:- Fine silver wire
Body:- Green and black varigated chenille
Body Hackle :- Soft olive green cock saddle
Head hackle :- Optional , Contrasting colour of soft cock hackle

Tying Method and notes

The Woolly bugger is a very very famous fly. Originating in the United States it has formed the basis of many a pattern including my Lucky 7 lure

Although the original Woolly Bugger pattern was believed to have been created by Russell Blessing, a Pennsylvania fly tier as early as 1967 to resemble a hellgrammite, or Dobson fly nymph, its precise origin is unknown, but is clearly an evolution of the Woolly Worm which itself is a variation—intentional or not—of the English “Palmer” style of fly, which dates back to the time of Issac Walton and beyond.

The fly can be tied to represent small fish, nymphs, in fact almost anything. By varying the colours of the materials used and the size of hook the tier can experiment endlessly.

This variation is tied to represent a dragonfly nymph, but on its day can be dealdy fished higher in the water with a fast retrieve.

( 1 )  Attach the silk and make a neat underbody of silk. This is very important when tying with chenille as it has a tendency to slip when tightened.

( 2 ) Select a bunch of olive green marabou. tie in on top of the hook and take the silk forwards and back to the bend. Make sure the marabou is tied down tightly

( 3 )

Tie in a rib of fine silver wire and then build a smooth underbody.

( 4 ) Tie in two strands of pale olive green crystal flash on each side of the tail

( 7 )  Wind the hackle from the front to the back in close turns. Take 2 or three turns at the head if a second hackle is not going to be used. This fly has around 7 turns of hackle down the body.

( 5 )  Strip the fluff from the core of a length of Chenille and tie in. If you feel the chenille is “loose” twist it with hackle pliers to tighten it up.

( 8 ) Bring the wire rib forwards in the opposite direction to trap the hackle and protect it against the fish’s teeth. If you forget to wind your rib in the opposite direction it will still secure the hackle if you follow one simple rule. Count your turns of hackle and then make sure your rib has fewer turns or more turns that way it can’t fail to catch the hackle

( 6 )  Choose a suitable Cock feather with a nice fast taper which will ensure that the hackle is larger at the head. Strip off the fluff and tie in by the stem.

( 9 )