HOW TO TIE THE HOLO BACK BUG

The Holo-back Bug provides a profile for a range of effective weighted patterns for rivers and lakes. In this red version the head comprises a red bead with a metallic finish while the back, the “holo” bit, is formed from a length of red holographic tinsel. Of course, these colours may be used to create a range of effective patterns, pink and red being two obvious additions.

1. Slip bead over hook-point then slide along the shank up to the eye. Fix hook in vice then apply close turns of fine lead wire.

2. Having added turns of lead wire push them firmly into the recess at the back of the bead then fix them in place with tying thread.

3. Wind thread over wire then carry it on down to bend. Catch in a few grizzle cock hackle fibres plus a length of fine red wire.

4. At same point catch in length of red holo tinsel plus a few fibres of black pheasant tail. Secure waste ends with close thread turns.

5. Wind thread up to bead then take hold of the pheasant tail fibres and wind them, without twisting, so they form a slim tapered body.

6. Secure then remove the ends of the pheasant tail then pull holographic tinsel over top of body. Apply turns of wire to secure tinsel.

7. After four or five evenly-spaced turns of wire and secure loose end with thread. Trim off excess tinsel. Wiggle wire until it breaks.

8. Catch in short length of Krystal Flash to form a sort of hackle. Dub on a pinch of sparkling black dubbing for the thorax.

9. At the back of the bead, cast off thread with a whip finish then trim ends of Krystal Flash so strands are same length.