Flügenblinger Bugger

I must admit, it's really been a few years since I've consistently fished any sort of standard bugger or leech pattern. I find myself opting for chironomids, baitfish or other more match-the-hatch style patterns when fishing lakes and reservoirs. However, a few weeks ago, I was going through some stillwater boxes and came across a style of leech/bugger combo pattern Cheech and I used to fish a lot. It incorporates Arizona Simi Seal into the body (as opposed to say a Chenille) but keeps the stand-by hackle aspect of a regular bugger and then you blend it all together to create an awesome full-bodied pattern that's the best of both worlds.

We are, after all, mostly trying to imitate leeches or other bigger insects such as damsels or dragon fly nymphs here, so having more lifelike movement, some translucency and a good natural-looking body taper is a good thing. Plus we throw in some extra bling on this one by means of some Kiley's Bugger Bling and some attractive Loon UV Clear Fly Finish (especially the Fluorescing kind) and it all comes together for a fun pattern to tie that also happens to catch fish.

And don't limit yourself to lakes either. This could be sized and colored differently to be fished for anything from bigger hex mayflies, drakes, stoneflies or October caddis. It's a good style of pattern for a lot of things, so check out the video below and tie some up!

Burnt Orange

Hook: Daiichi 1710, #10 (+)
Thread: UNI 6/0, Rusty Brown (+)
Under-Body (optional): .025 Lead Free Wire (+)
Tail: Whiting Super Bou, Dyed Brown (+)
Tail: Krystal Flash, Rootbeer (+)
Body: Arizona Simi Seal, Canadian Brown (+)
Hackle: Whiting Bugger Pack, Grizzly Dyed Coachman Brown (+)
Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire, Copper, Brassie (+)
Shell: Kiley's Bugger Bling (+)
Collar: Whiting Coq De Leon Hen Saddle, Speckled Burnt Orange (+)

Other Tools, materials:
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish, Thick (+)
Loon UV Fluorescing Clear Fly Finish (+)
Stonfo Combo Comb/Brush (+)

Black/Red

Hook: Daiichi 1710, #10 (+)
Thread: UNI 6/0, Black (+)
Under-Body (optional): .025 Lead Free Wire (+)
Tail: Whiting Super Bou, Black (+)
Tail: Krystal Flash, UV Pearl (+)
Body: Arizona Simi Seal, Black/Red (+)
Hackle: Whiting Bugger Pack, Black (+)
Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire, Wine, Brassie (+)
Shell: Kiley's Bugger Bling (+)
Collar: Whiting Coq De Leon Hen Saddle, Speckled Red (+)

Green/Olive

Hook: Daiichi 1710, #10 (+)
Thread: MFC 6/0, Chartreuse (+)
Under-Body (optional): .025 Lead Free Wire (+)
Tail: Whiting Super Bou, Fl. Green Chartreuse (+)
Tail: Krystal Flash, UV Pearl (+)
Body: Arizona Simi Seal, Golden Peacock (+)
Hackle: Whiting Bugger Pack, Fl. Green Chartreuse (+)
Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire, Chartreuse, Small (+)
Shell: Kiley's Bugger Bling (+)
Collar: Whiting Coq De Leon Hen Saddle, Speckled Fl. Green Chartreuse (+)