Seal Bugger

Materials

How to Tie the Seal Bugger

1. 1

   Step 1

   Optionally wrap 15-20 turns of wire behind the hook eye. Secure with thread and bring thread back to the bend.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Select a sparse clump of marabou (15-20 fibers), 1.5x shank length. Tie in at the bend, centered atop the hook.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Tie in copper wire for ribbing along the far side. Add 1-2 strands of Flashabou on each side of the tail.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Select an undersized saddle hackle and tie in by the tip at the tail.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Form a dubbing loop at the tail tie-in point. Fill with seal substitute dubbing and twist to create a rough, spiky rope.

   Use an undersized hackle – about 2 sizes smaller than the hook for best proportion.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Wrap the dubbing rope forward in touching turns, brushing fibers back, leaving room for head.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Palmer the saddle hackle forward in evenly spaced turns through the dubbing.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Counter-wrap the wire ribbing forward to secure the hackle. Wiggle the wire to avoid trapping too many fibers. Tie off.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Build a neat thread head, whip finish, and apply head cement.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Pick out dubbing fibers with a dubbing brush or Velcro for a super-buggy appearance.