Written by Mike Gentry

I was gone for the recent TVTU Chapter meeting so missed an out-of-the-ordinary presentation by Eric Leininger of NW Fly Fishing, who enticed those present with the lure of fly fishing for carp.  Several in attendance suggested that I include the featured fly in the newsletter, and I am happy to do so.  The information I reviewed suggests that it is widely successful across the country and may be the “wooly bugger of carp flies”.  John Montana’s recipe (presented here with a few variations) is simple and easy to tie.

Recipe

Hook:  carp pro gaper or Tiemco 2457, #8
Thread:  rusty brown 8/0 unithread
Eyes:  small metal bead eyes
Tail:  wine, red or pink ultrachenille
Body:  black or peacock ice dub chenille
Hackle:  mottled yellow hackle or yellow pheasant rump feather
 
1.  Affix the set of bead eyes just behind the eye of the hook with a number of figure eight lashings.  Make plenty of winds to secure the eyes horizontal and firm.

2.  Wind the thread to the bend of the hook and tie in a two inch or so piece of ultrachenille, winding down tight to the eyes and back to the bend of the hook.  Clip the tail to length.  Clip off any excess ultrachenille extending over the eyes.

3.  Tie in the body chenille at the bend of the hook and wind forward to the back of the eye.  Tie down and clip the excess.

4.  Tie in the hackle or pheasant rump and wind two turns tight behind the eyes.  Tie down with three or four tight wraps of thread and clip off the excess material tight on top of the eyes.

5.  Form the head by numerous thread wraps and finish with two half hitches or for those who prefer it, use a whip finisher.

6.  If your taste dictates, use a small drop of head cement on the head.