Fly Tying Inventory
Two Bit Hooker
Charlie Craven's innovative two-bead nymph designed for fast, deep nymphing. The dual tungsten beads give this fly exceptional weight for its size, allowing it to sink quickly in heavy currents. The slim profile and realistic proportions make it an effective mayfly nymph imitation in demanding conditions.
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Materials
Tiemco 3769, sizes 12-18
2 copper tungsten beads (sized to hook: 1/16 for #18, 5/64 for #16, 3/32 for #14)
Rusty brown Danville 6/0 or UTC 70 denier
Mottled brown hen saddle fibers
Tying thread, wrapped smooth
Black Veevus 14/0 thread
Medium opal Mirage Tinsel
Rusty brown Superfine dubbing
Mottled brown hen saddle fibers
Solarez Thin Hard UV resin
How to Tie the Two Bit Hooker
- 1
Step 1
Slide both tungsten beads onto the hook and push them to the eye. Secure the hook in the vise and start the thread behind the rear bead, wrapping to the bend.
The two beads are the signature feature—they provide maximum weight in a slim profile.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in 6-8 mottled brown hen saddle fibers as a tail, about half the shank length. Tie in a piece of black 14/0 thread for the rib.
- 3
Step 3
Build a smooth, slightly tapered abdomen with the tying thread from the tail forward to the rear bead. Wrap the black thread rib forward in even spirals for segmentation. Tie off.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in a strip of opal Mirage Tinsel for the wing case between the two beads.
- 5
Step 5
Dub a small thorax of rusty brown Superfine dubbing between and around the two beads. Pull the Mirage Tinsel forward as a wing case and tie down.
- 6
Step 6
Tie in mottled brown hen fibers on each side as legs, swept back. Whip finish. Apply a thin coat of UV resin over the wing case and abdomen for durability. Cure with UV light.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CePmuapNxyk
Credit: In The Riffle