Fly Tying Inventory
Black Beauty
Pat Dorsey's Black Beauty is a legendary midge pupa pattern born on Colorado's Blue River in 1992. Despite its extreme simplicity — just thread, wire, and dubbing — it consistently fools the most selective trout in pressured tailwaters. Named after a memorable trip where Bob Saile landed an 8-pound rainbow, the Black Beauty has become an essential midge pattern across the United States.
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Materials
TMC 2487 or Daiichi 1100/1140, sizes 18-24, scud/curved nymph hook
Black 8/0 or 70 Denier (UTC or UNI)
Extra fine copper wire (Ultra Wire extra small for 22-24, small for 18-20)
Black Superfine Dubbing, beaver, or rabbit dubbing
How to Tie the Black Beauty
- 1
Step 1
Place the hook in the vise and secure black thread behind the eye, wrapping a smooth base back to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in a short length of fine copper wire at the bend.
- 3
Step 3
Wrap the thread forward in smooth, touching turns to form a slim, shiny black body.
- 4
Step 4
Spiral the copper wire forward in even wraps to create segmentation. Tie off and break away the excess wire.
Space the wire wraps evenly — the copper segmentation against the black body is the key visual trigger.
- 5
Step 5
Dub a small, compact thorax with black Superfine Dubbing just behind the eye.
- 6
Step 6
Whip finish and apply a minimal amount of head cement if desired.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWHr_NgsuL8
Credit: Pat Dorsey