The Skillcraft Glo Bug Tool By Jim Meier, Fresno, CA
One of the most productive patterns for trout
and steelhead is the Glo Bug. This simple little
fly is most effective when the fish are spawning,
as it imitates a wayward egg. The problem with
Glo Bugs is that they are a pain to tie, and who
wants to pay $1.85 for a bit of yarn on a hook?
This Christmas I received a marvelous gadget from
my father to solve all of these problems, the
Skillcraft Glo Bug Tool. This technological
invention undoubtedly resulted from a fly fisherman
trapped in the office staring into the trash can at
yet another cheap pen just thrown away. Fishing the
pen out of the trash and removing the innards he was
left with a hollow tube that narrowed quite nicely
at the tip. What a handy dispenser of glo bug yarn
he thought to himself, and the tool was born.
Here is how it works: first you must struggle mightily
to get the proper amount of yarn through the pen.
Then when you tie, use just as much as necessary,
leaving — enough for the next fly peeking out of
the pen.
What follows is some of my fathers original artwork,
and the step-by-step instructions if you feel you
need them.
The tool assembly can be a trying experience and
requires 5 things:
1: a used up Skillcraft pen (or similar pen with a
smooth barrel and metal end)
2: 1 loop of glo bug yarn, or several smaller loops.
3: a piece of strong wire that when doubled up will
fit though the tip of the pen.
4: a friend or spouse to help.
5: optional, according to my father the family dog
needs to be present, but if you are lacking this,
I am sure it will still work.
Put the wire loop through the pen and slip the yarn
through the loop, now using pliers pull the wire back
out, pulling the yarn through the pen body. This may
be difficult, as the idea is to compress the yarn as
it leaves the tip of the pen. If it seems easy you
may need a smaller tipped pen or more yarn or neither
and you can just be happy.
This should give you a tool that looks something
like this. These are what I received for Christmas.
The one on the bottom has a — tied jig still on it.
Glo Bug Materials
Hook: Jig or scud hook, size 12 - 16.
Thread: Kevlar - this is a must, as the pressure
needed to flare the yarn will break even 3/0 thread.Body: Glo Bug yarn in your preferred color.
Instructions for the Glo Bug:
Originally published March 15, 2004 on Fly Anglers Online by Jim Meier.