The flash-bugger

Chris Sandford gives his adaptation of the classic 'woolly bugger' fly - a traditional winter pattern.

A winter winner

Chris Sandford gives his adaptation of the classic 'woolly bugger' fly - a traditional winter pattern. Choosing a fly for winter fishing is never a problem. The fish are down in deep water, and Chris ties on the sure-fire fly that has proved itself time and again. It is his magnificent 'Flash-bugger.' You will need: Hook: kamasan 830 no.10 Thread: black Eyes: veniard glass damsel twin eye Flash material: lureflash Holographic Flat Tinsel Body: black chenille Tail: black marabou and krinkle mirror flash Rib: fine gold wire hackle: black cock ( length equal to hook gape)

Step 1

Slip the bead on to the hook, fix the hook in the vice and leave the bead resting against the vice head. Run the thread on to the hook and tie in a length of tinsel pointing forward over the eye. Move the bead up to behind the eye and fix in place with tight figure-of-eight wraps and a drop of superglue. Wind the lead from behind the eye to half way down the hook shank and secure with over wraps of tying thread.

Step 2

Tie in Marabou tail about the same length as the hook. Then tie in at the rear of the hook, in the following order: 1) The hackle. 2) The fine gold wire. 3) The chenille.

Step 3

Now wind the thread forward to behind the bead eyes. Wind the chenille forward in tight turns and secure behind the eyes. Pull the tinsel back between the eyes and over the body and secure with two tight wraps of gold. Then wind the wire forward in equally spaced turns and secure behind the eyes.

Step 4

Finally, wind the hackle forward between the wire wraps, allowing the wire to show, and tie off behind the eyes with a whip finish. for security, add a drop of superglue to the wraps of fine gold wire on the underside of the hook. You have now tied the 'Flash-bugger' and are about to catch far too many fish! Enjoy!