sow bug

daffydunc,

There are many great sowbug patterns. I have a dear friend that guides on the white river in AR. He insists that the bodies be flat and that the back of the sowbug be much darket than the underside. It then tumbles through the water and he thinks the fish key on the two colors.

Take a sample and then match the naturals.

Tight Lines

baldmidge

[salovin]

Another great pattern I used when I lived in AR:
Sow Bug
Hook: TMC#20-16
wrap appropriate size lead around the hook from butt to about an 1/8 before the eye. Then tie in a piece on one side then the other. Apply glue.
Tie in clear scud back and a piece of 7x tippet.
Using Adams grey Super Fine Dubbing or Muskrat, build a flat, segmented body over the lead.
Pull over scud back and apply ribbing.
Pick out bottom and cut straight.
I agree with bald midge about the colors on top and bottom. I would tie several variations.
As with most wet or nymph style patterns, the most important things are to have a dead drift, proper tippet size and get it to the bottom. Good Luck, Scott