Fly Tying Inventory
Poison Tung
Charlie Craven's Poison Tung is a sleek winter midge nymph that exploits the fish-attracting power of blue. A simple gray thread body with blue wire ribbing and a tungsten bead gets this fly down fast where trout feed most. The gray Ice Dub head provides the ashen look of an emerging midge. Proven on legendary waters like the South Platte, Gray Reef, and Frying Pan.
🪶 Ready to tie this?
This pattern needs 6 materials. Sign up free to check which ones you already own.
Materials
TMC 2487 or 2488, sizes 16-22, curved scud/emerger hook
2mm silver tungsten bead
Gray UNI-Thread 8/0 or 70 Denier
Blue Lagartun or UTC Wire, fine/small (gun metal blue)
Gray tying thread (same as thread)
Ice Dub UV Gray or Lavender, or SLF Prism Dubbing light gray
How to Tie the Poison Tung
- 1
Step 1
Slide the 2mm silver tungsten bead onto the hook and secure the hook in the vise.
- 2
Step 2
Start gray thread immediately behind the bead and wrap a smooth base rearward to the mid-bend of the hook.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in the blue wire rib at the rear of the hook.
- 4
Step 4
Wrap the thread forward in smooth, slightly tapered layers to form a slim body, ending behind the bead.
Keep the body very slim and smooth. The gray thread IS the body — no dubbing needed on the abdomen.
- 5
Step 5
Spiral-wrap the blue wire rib forward in evenly spaced turns. Tie off behind the bead and break off excess.
- 6
Step 6
Dub a small thorax with UV Gray or Lavender Ice Dub just behind the bead.
- 7
Step 7
Whip finish behind the bead and apply head cement for durability.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=008W6gAAeiI
Credit: Charlie Craven