Boss

Boss

Steelhead
Comet
Beginner
Steelhead
Salmon
Hook: 2-8

A small version of the classic Boss for steelhead and salmon. The traditional body is floss or wool, but black chenille is used here for a fatter profile, with silver bead chain eyes at the head and an oval silver tinsel tag and rib. Black squirrel hair makes the tail on small hooks, with bucktail used on larger ones, and the soft saddle collar can be red, orange or anything between. Sizes run from 2 to 8. Tied here on a size 8 hook.

Ready to tie this?

This pattern needs 7 materials. Sign up free to check which ones you already own.

Check My Materials — Free

Materials

Hook

Ahrex NS115 Deep Streamer D/E, size 8

8

Thread

Thread, black

Black

Eyes

Bead chain eyes, silver, medium

Silver · Medium

Rib

Oval silver tinsel, medium, which also forms a short tag

Silver · Medium

Tail

Squirrel hair, black (bucktail on larger hooks)

Black

Body

Ultra Chenille, standard, black

Black · Standard

Hackle

Soft saddle hackle, red (or orange)

Red

How to Tie the Boss

  1. 1

    Step 1

    Clamp the hook in the vise and start the black thread a short way behind the eye.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Tie the bead chain eyes on top of the shank behind the eye with crossing wraps, leaving room in front of them for the head.

  3. 3

    Step 3

    Tie in the oval silver tinsel behind the eyes and bind it along the shank as you wrap back to the bend.

  4. 4

    Step 4

    Wind two or three turns of tinsel at the bend to form a tag, then leave the tinsel hanging for the rib.

  5. 5

    Step 5

    Tie in a bunch of black squirrel hair in front of the tag for the tail. Bind the butts along the shank and trim any excess.

  6. 6

    Step 6

    Tie in the black chenille at the bend and wrap it forward in touching turns to just behind the eyes. Tie it off and trim.

  7. 7

    Step 7

    Wind the tinsel forward over the chenille in open turns, tie it off behind the eyes and trim.

  8. 8

    Step 8

    Tie in the red saddle hackle behind the eyes and wind a few turns for a soft collar. Tie it off and trim.

  9. 9

    Step 9

    Take the thread in front of the eyes, form a small head, whip finish and cut the thread.

Watch Tying Tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7ttKe2htsM

Credit: Michael Jensen

More patterns like this

Track Your Fly Tying Materials

See which patterns you can tie with materials you already own. Build your inventory, discover new patterns, and never buy duplicates.

Get Started — It's Free