Copper John

Materials

How to Tie the Copper John

1. 1

   Step 1

   Slide a tungsten bead onto the hook and secure in the vise. Optionally wrap 8-10 turns of lead-free wire behind the bead.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Start thread behind the bead/wire. Wrap back to the bend.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Tie in two brown goose biots at the bend, split in a V-shape for the tail.

   To split biots, tie in one on each side of the shank. They should splay outward about 30 degrees.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Tie in a piece of medium copper wire at the bend.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Wrap the copper wire forward in tight, touching turns to form the body. Stop at about the 2/3 mark. Tie off.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Tie in a narrow strip of Thin Skin or pearl tinsel for the wing case, pointing rearward over the body.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Tie in 2-3 strands of peacock herl. Wrap them to form a full thorax between the wing case tie-in and the bead.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Pull the wing case material forward over the thorax. Tie it down behind the bead.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Apply a coat of UV resin over the wing case for durability and flash.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Tie in a few partridge or hen hackle fibers on each side of the thorax as legs.

11. 11

    Step 11

    Build a neat head behind the bead, whip finish, and apply head cement.