Tying a Large Grey Conehead Crystal Bugger Fishing Fly

The Wooly Bugger needs no introduction. There are a few reasons we think that every fly tyer should master the bugger.

• It has fooled more (at least as many) fish as any other fly.
• It can be used to fish for many species – trout, bass, panfish….
• It is the foundation for tying many of today’s large articulated streamers

Tying Notes for Large Grey Conehead Crystal Bugger Fishing Fly

• Our goal with this video is to show the “traditional” bugger tying technique but also show how to use two feathers if you’re tying either a very large fly or if have a shorter feather (or both).
• When using a longer feather, you can tie it in by the stem and leave as much or as little of the marabou like fluff that will be ome the collar. Typically, this feather is used to make several touching wraps (creating a collar) and then palmering the hackle rearward.
• If your feather is too short, break this process into two steps. Tie in the first feather as you typically would. Skip the first couple of touching wraps; rather, palmer the feather rearward immediately.
• Finally, use a second feather to create a collar. Tying this feather in by the tip allows you to create a collar in the same way that tying in the first feather by the base an wrapping rearward would create.

Recipe for Large Grey Conehead Crystal Bugger Fishing Fly:

• Hook: Streamer hook. https://www.discountflies.com/SRCH.html?Search=streamer+hook
• Bead: Raven and Wolf 7.7mm Tungsten Conehead, Matte Black. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-RWTCH77.html
• Thread: UTC 140 or 210, Black. https://www.discountflies.com/SRCH.html?Search=utc+thread
• Tail: Cascade Crest Marabou, Dun. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-CCBOU.html
• Body: Cascade Crest G2 New Aged Chenille, Aqua Grey. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-CCG2MD.html.
• Flash: Raven and Wolf Krinkle Flash – Ultra, Aqua. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-RWKFU.html
• Rib: Tying Wire. https://www.discountflies.com/SRCH.html?Search=tying+wire
• Hackle: Whiting Hen Saddle Feathers, Dun Grizzly. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-WHENS.html
• Collar: same as hackle. Tie in by tip to end with fluffy parts at the base of the feather (like marabou).