PUNCH & BEAD
Several years ago I discovered a fly called "The Black Widow" in the archives of FAOL. I liked the widow and tied some up and used them with success on panfish as well as trout. Like most tiers I played around with the pattern and developed the "Punch & Bead" fly which I use mainly for panfish but it also works on the local brookies.
Materials:
- Hook: Size 10 or 12. Photo is a #12 bait holder with bent down barbs.
- Thread: Whatever you want with color matching front section of yarn.
- Rear Body: Punch yarn. Color of your choice.
- Hackle: Your choice:
- Bead: Glass Czech silver lined. Color of your choice.
- Front Body: Punch yarn. Color of your choice.
TYING INSTRUCTIONS:
Bend down barbs and slide the bead onto the hook. Place hook in vise and start your thread at the center of the hook and move to the bend. Tie in the rear body yarn, move thread forward to near the center of the hook and build up the yarn body. Make sure the body is fatter than the hole in the bead.
Tie in hackle and secure thread with several half hitches. Cut thread and move bead up against hackle.
Start your thread again; tie in the front body yarn, again insuring the body is fatter than the hole in the bead.
Whip finish and add head cement is desired.
This is a relatively simple tie that has proved quite effective when tied with a hackle (shown) or without a hackle.
Experiment with different colors for added success. My favorite is black rear, cream front, orange bead and black hackle.
I hope you enjoy this fly as much as I have and if you have trouble finding punch yarn substitute one ply of baby yarn.
Good Luck - Tim Anderson (Panman).
For more great info, check out:
Beginning Fly Tying | Intermediate Fly Tying | Advanced Fly Tying.