Fly Tying Inventory
Partridge Bugger
Partridge Bugger is Madison Losee's twist on the standard bugger, built around an underrated feather from a Hungarian partridge skin. That fluffy, marabou-like feather has a soft gradient of color and replaces marabou in the tail. UV Polar Chenille in gold forms the body, a tungsten bead adds weight at the head, and two wrapped partridge collars give it a soft hackle front. It is a small bugger to keep in the box all year. Tied here on a size 6 hook.
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Materials
Fulling Mill FM5095 Comp Heavyweight Barbless, black nickel, size 6 (or TMC 5262)
6
Semperfli Nano Silk 50D 12/0, white (or Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 12/0, white)
White · 12/0
Gritty Tungsten Beads, Gold Grit, 3/16 inch (4.6 mm) (or Plummeting Tungsten Beads, gold)
Gold Grit · 3/16 inch (4.6 mm)
#1 Hungarian Partridge Skin, natural, the fluffy marabou-like feathers
Natural
How to Tie the Partridge Bugger
- 1
Step 1
Slide the bead onto the hook, push it up to the eye and mount the hook in the vise.
- 2
Step 2
Start the thread behind the bead and wrap a base back to the bend.
- 3
Step 3
Pick one of the fluffy, marabou-like feathers from the partridge skin and tie it in at the bend for the tail.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in another of the same feathers on top to fill out the tail. Trim the excess.
- 5
Step 5
Tie in the UV Polar Chenille at the base of the tail and bring the thread forward, stopping short of the bead.
- 6
Step 6
Wrap the chenille forward, stroking the fibers back with each turn. Tie it off and trim it, leaving room behind the bead for the collars.
- 7
Step 7
Tie in a partridge feather behind the bead and wrap it as a soft hackle collar, sweeping the fibers back. Tie it off and trim the excess.
- 8
Step 8
Repeat with a second partridge feather directly in front of the first.
- 9
Step 9
Whip finish behind the bead and trim the thread.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzNjfW8sUjo
Credit: Madison Losee / Fly Fish Food