Fly Tying Inventory
Booby Fly
A UK stillwater staple featuring foam cylinder eyes that make the fly buoyant. Designed to be fished on a fast-sinking line, the Booby floats off the bottom while the line pulls it down, creating an irresistible bobbing action. A proven pattern for reservoir trout fishing across the British Isles.
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Materials
Size 8-12 heavy wet fly or streamer hook
6/0 or 8/0, white or to match body color
Cylindrical closed-cell foam, 6mm diameter, cut to 1cm lengths (or pre-made Booby Eyes)
Marabou, white (also available in black, orange, chartreuse)
Fritz, chenille, or sparkly synthetic material (pearl, orange, or black)
Krystal Flash, 2-3 strands in tail (optional)
How to Tie the Booby Fly
- 1
Step 1
Take two foam cylinders and secure them together with tying thread using figure-eight wraps.
- 2
Step 2
Bind the foam eyes on top of the hook just behind the hook eye with several tight, crisscrossing figure-eight wraps.
Use heavy thread or gel-spun to firmly secure the bulky foam.
- 3
Step 3
Start thread a short distance behind the eyes. Select a generous bunch of marabou, about hook-shank length, and tie in at the rear of the hook.
- 4
Step 4
Optionally add a few strands of Krystal Flash to the tail for sparkle.
- 5
Step 5
Tie in chenille, fritz, or body material at the tail and wind thread forward to just behind the eyes.
- 6
Step 6
Palmer the body material forward in touching turns, stroking fibers back with each wrap.
Don't overcrowd the hook eye – leave space for your leader knot.
- 7
Step 7
Tie off the body material right behind the foam eyes. Trim excess.
- 8
Step 8
Build a neat thread head, whip finish, and add a drop of head cement. Adjust eyes for symmetry.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFPj5al1FE8
Credit: UK Stillwater Tradition / Fulling Mill