Lightning Bug

Materials

How to Tie the Lightning Bug

1. 1

   Step 1

   Place the bead on the hook and secure in the vise. Optionally wrap 4-5 turns of lead-free wire behind the bead for added weight.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Start the thread behind the bead and lay a smooth foundation back to the hook bend.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Tie in 5-6 pheasant tail fibers at the bend for the tail, about one hook shank in length. Trim excess.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Tie in the silver wire rib along the near side of the hook shank.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Tie in the pearl tinsel for the body and wrap forward to just behind the bead in smooth, even turns. Secure and trim.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Counter-wrap the ribbing wire forward over the tinsel body in evenly spaced turns. Tie off behind the bead and trim.

   Counter-wrapping adds durability and a segmented look.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Tie in a strip of opal or pearl tinsel for the wing case, positioned just behind the bead.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Tie in 2 peacock herls by their tips and wrap to form a pronounced, buggy thorax behind the bead. Tie off and trim.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Fold 3-4 pheasant tail fibers on each side of the thorax for legs, extending just past the thorax. Secure and trim butts.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Pull the wing case material over the thorax, secure with thread wraps behind the bead, and trim excess.

11. 11

    Step 11

    Whip finish behind the bead and apply head cement or UV resin to the thread wraps and wing case.