IT'S-A-BUG
My new favorite panfish popper.
pattern by Gary Yaden, modified by Scott Nordby


Materials used;
Hook = Mustad 3366 size 6
Thread = 3/0 Uni thread - Black
Tail = Red Antron Yarn
Overbody = 1/8 foam cut into 1/4" strip
Underbody = Medium Chenille
Legs = Medium Round Rubber (4 strands 2" long)
Head = 1/8 foam cut into 1/4" strip (contrasting color to body)


Start the thread from 1 eye length behind the eye. wrap to the back and tie in the tail (approx the length of the gap)

Pre-cut the foam strips with a tapper on the end. a long tapper on the overbody piece and a short tapper on the head piece.

Tie in the overbody foam by the tip back toward the bend. leave a little bit of the tapper exposed so when the foam is folded over it make a nice transition. Strip off the fuss on the chenille and tie it in all the way to the back.

Advance the thread to mid shank and tie in all four strands of rubber for the legs. Position 2 on each side. Make a flat spot in the center for the chenille.
Tip: I have better success tying in the legs if I use a non-slippery thread like Uni Thread 3/0 or Fly Master Plus. These will not cut the foam as easily also. You need to crank down on the rubber and you will break a lot of 6/0.

Make 3 wraps of chenille behind the rubber (pull the rubber forward with your right hand and wrap the chenille with your left hand). Then take 2 wraps of chenille in the middle of the legs.

Pull the rubber back and make 2 or 3 wraps of chenille in front of the rubber legs, and tie off the chenille and trim. My ideal legs are to have the back legs laying toward the back and the front legs out to the side. (But I take whatever the vise will give me :-)

Gary's instructions had me tie in the front foam early on, but I had trouble working around it, so I moved it to this step. I like to tie in the piece of foam so it lays back and just catch in the tip with the thread. Tie in the foam and tie a small head, then move the thread to behind this piece of foam.

Lay the overbody foam piece over the back. Do not stretch it.

Flip the thread over catching it right behind the head piece of foam. take a few wrap then cinch it down. Take a couple more wraps and tighten it up even more. Do this until you have it in securely.
Tip: Do not try to tighten up the foam all at once. You will cut it. Not Good! Take a few wraps, then tighten, take a few more wraps and tighten, repeat as necessary.

Trim off the overbody piece of foam leaving some sticking up to create the eye effect.

Fold the Head piece of foam back over and catch it in (same spot as overbody tie in spot). Snug this down using same procedure as above. You will probably have to coax the head to get it to the center position as you are tightening up the thread. Finish off with your favorite finishing knot and trim the thread.

Trim the Head piece of foam to form a wing.

Snip down the center of the foam wing section. (this allows the foam to split and makes it easier to make the VEE cut.

Make a "VEE" cut on both sides of the wing.

Your wing should look similar to this. Some people do not make the "VEE" cut. This was on a fly that I got from my friend C.J. in Iowa (his look way better than mine). The original pattern does not have a tail, but I find that this little attracter helps stimulate a wondering fish.

This is your reward for a fly well tied!!!!!!!!!!
(tied by Scott Nordby)
I'm hoping to tie this and help people with it at the next couple of meetings.
I will bring some extra materials and hooks with.
See you Saturday Morning!