Fly-tying

This fly is designed to sink quickly. The Lite-Brite adds subtle sparkle to an otherwise drab fly and the white bead is less likely than a gold bead to alarm fish on hard-fished waters.

Material list for the Lite Collar Bug

Hook: Size 12-16 wet-fly (barbed or barbless)

Thread: Black

Bead: White 3.2mm brass or tungsten

Weight: Fine lead wire

Tail: Dark grizzle cock hackle fibres

Rib: Fine, oval gold tinsel or wire

Body: Dark hare’s fur

Hackle: Small natural grey CDC plume

Thorax: Purple Haze Lite-Brite

Step 1. Lite Collar Bug.

Step 1. Slip a bead over the hook point then fix hook in the vice. Apply lead wire, pushing the turns into the bead’s recess, and fix with thread.

Step 2. Lite Collar Bug.

Step 2. Run the tying thread down the shank in touching turns until it reaches the bend. Catch in a few fibres of dark grizzle cock hackle.

Step 3. Lite Collar Bug.

Step 3. At the base of the hackle-fibre tail catch in a length of fine gold tinsel. Next, take a pinch of dark hare’s fur and apply it to the thread.

Step 4. Lite Collar Bug.

Step 4. Dub the fur on to the thread to form a tapered rope. Create the body by winding the fur rope along the shank in touching turns.

Step 5. Lite Collar Bug.

Step 5. Continue adding the fur along the hook, leaving a gap behind the bead. Rib the body by applying evenly spaced turns of the gold tinsel.

Step 6. Lite Collar Bug.

Step 6. Secure the loose end of the tinsel with thread then trim off the surplus. Next, take a small CDC plume and catch it in by its tip.

Step 7. Lite Collar Bug.

Step 7. Grasp the base of the CDC plume with hackle pliers and apply two turns. As each turn is made, stroke the fibres back over the body.

Step 8. Lite Collar Bug.

Step 8. Secure the base of the CDC feather then carefully trim away the waste. Dub on a pinch of Lite-Brite and apply in front of the hackle.

Step 9. Lite Collar Bug.

Step 9. Two or three turns of Lite-Brite is enough to cover the base of the hackle and form a small thorax. Finally, cast off with a whip finish.