Hi-Vibe Woolly Bugger

Created by Jeff Morgan

HOOK: Dai Riki 700, size 2-8 THREAD: To match body TAIL: Marabou FLASH: Pearl Flashabou BODY: Estaz or other bulky body material HACKLE: Saddle, reverse palmered HEAD: Spun wool or deer hair to match body

Uses

This Woolly Bugger variation is intended for murky waters, where fish find their quarry more by vibration and pressure waves than by sight. It's thick head is designed to push a lot of water while maintaining a profile similar to a sculpin (an obese one, to be sure). For more about this fly, see the article Vibration Flies.

Variations

Vary the body color. Black, dark brown, and olive should be the most useful options.

How to Fish

Use a count-down-and-retrieve presentation, perhaps with short, quick strips to create the maximum vibration. Alternatively, let the fly hang in the current and give it short jerks with the rod tip.

Tying Instructions

1. Debarb hook, place in vise, and start thread.

 
2. Tie in tail.

 
3. Tie in body material.

 
4. Tie in saddle hackle tip first and with dull-side up.

 
5. Wrap body material forward.

 
6. Tie in Flashabou along sides of body and tail.

 
7. Wrap hackle forward with the dull side facing the front. Hackle tips should point forward.

 
8. Spin wool for head.

 
9. Whipfinish and trim head to size