Invicta Flies - Glass Head Bugger
From Erik Andreasson of Sweden comes this unique variation on the "woolly bugger" theme. Two glass beads that match a bright tail, one smaller than the other, create a classy topping to an effective attractor pattern.
Tied by Erik Andreasson.
Hook: standard streamer, #8-10
Head: two green glass beads, one small, one medium
Thread: 6/0 black
Tail: chartreuse marabou
Body: medium black chenille
Rib: fine wire (optional)
Hackle: India hen or webby saddle hackle, black
Tying Instructions:
1) Select two glass beads that match the color of marabou you'll be using for the tail. One bead should be smaller than the other, say, a small and a medium size. Place these on the hook, the smaller one first, then insert the hook into the vise. To get a brighter effect from the glass beads, wrap a thin layer of white or yellow thread just behind the eye, tie this off and clip, then slip the beads over this. The white is magnified, producing a brighter color than is produced by the color of the bare hook shank. Optionally, you can laquer over the beads to both hold them together and make them a little more durable. This also "smooths" the double bead head somewhat and makes for a nicer finished product.
2) Secure the thread to the shank and wind back to the bend. Tie in a clump of marabou on top of the shank about as long as the hook. Lash the excess to the top of the shank for a smooth underbody. A good way to do this is, after tying in the tail, lift the excess and wind the thread up to about a hook eye behind the beads. Pull the remainder of the marabou forward tight against the shank and tie down. Clip the excess (forward of this tie-down point), then spiral the thread back over the pulled-down excess marabou to the tail.
3) Strip the last 1/4 inch from the tag end of the chenille, exposing the core. Lash the chenille to the top of the shank by the core only, the excess extending back beyond the bend to be wound later.
4) Bring the thread forward slightly, two or three turns. Select a long, webby feather for the body hackle. Stroke the fibers back near the tip and tie down on top of the shank, concave side down. Bring the thread forward to just behind the glass beads. OPTION: to make the hackle more durable, you can tie in a section of fine wire before tying in the hackle. This can later be counterwrapped through the body hackle before whip finishing the tying thread.
5) Lift the hackle feather up out of the way and take a full turn of the chenille behind it. On the next wrap, go just in front of the hackle feather, then continue up the shank in touching turns to create the body. At the thread, tie off and clip the excess.
6) Spiral wrap the hackle feather forward over the chenille to the tying thread. Take and extra turn or two, then tie off and clip the excess. If you've tied in the optional wire ribbing, you would now wind this forward through the hackle in the opposite direction, tie it down at the thread, then clip the excess.
7) Cover any exposed clipped ends, whip finish the thread, then clip. Cement the wraps.