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Fly Tying The Woolly Bugger

Step-by-step instructions to tie this venerable fly.

Wooly Bugger

Woolly Bugger Recipe:

  • Hook: Daiichi 2220 #1-14
  • Thread: Black 3/0 Monocord
  • Weight: Lead Wire
  • Tail: Black Marabou
  • Rib: Brassie Sized copper wire
  • Body: Medium Olive Chenille
  • Hackle: Black Rooster Saddle

Tying The Wooly Bugger

Tying The Wooly Bugger Step 1 of 8

Put the hook in the vise and wrap 6-20 turns of lead wire around the front part of the shank. Start the thread behind the lead and build a small thread dam up to the lead, then wrap forward over the lead wraps to secure them in place. Continue the thread back to the bend.

Tying The Wooly Bugger Step 2 of 8

Tin in a marabou feather at the bend so the tips extend about one shank length beyond the hook bend. Wrap forward over the butt ends of the marabou to just short of the eye and clip the excess.

Tying The Wooly Bugger Step 3 of 8

Return the thread to the base of the tail and tie in the wire ribbing.

Tying The Wooly Bugger Step 4 of 8

Tie in the chenille at the bend of the hook. Bring the thread to the front of the hook.

Tying The Wooly Bugger Step 5 of 8

Wrap the chenille forward to the front and tie off. Clip the excess chenille.

Tying The Wooly Bugger Step 6 of 8

Prepare and tie in a rooster saddle feather by its butt end at the front of the chenille with the inside of the feather facing back.

Tying The Wooly Bugger Step 7 of 8

Palmer the feather back to the bend with evenly spaced turns.

Tying The Wooly Bugger Step 8 of 8

Catch the tip of the feather with the wire and continue wrapping the wire forward through the hackle to the front. Tie off and clip the wire as well as the excess feather tip at the bend. Build a smooth thread head and whip finish.

Finished Wooly Bugger

Fly Tying The Woolly Bugger, video:

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