Wooly buggers are one of the most popular streamers ever created. You can actually fish them as nymphs or streamers. Strip them, swing them, dead drift them, float under an indicator, or drag the bottom. Use a floating line, sink tip, or even full sink. Tie them small or large. However you fish them they will catch fish quite regularly. They are not too difficult to tie, but are also very effective.
These are very versatile, as I said you can fish them in a wide range of techniques, and also tie them in different styles and uses. For instance I tied these today with both a stiff and soft hackle version. The soft hackle version will make the body flow more in slower moving water. If you were fishing a fast moving stream or river then the stiff hackle version works better. I find that I have better luck with the soft hackle versions when fishing in lakes or slow moving water for bass, sunfish or trout. And seem to get more strikes when fishing the stiff hackle while fishing fast moving rivers and creaks. Ive caught bass, sunfish, trout, and even some saltwater fish on them. I know some fisherman who swear by fishing buggers in the surf in California for surf perch. They just work, and are easy enough for a beginner to tie.
Buggers use just a handful of materials, and most can be had for relatively low cost. I was using some more expensive capes, but you can find some cheap India capes, or Chinese strung hackle that will work fine. Marabou also is very low cost to get. So you can tie these for cheap, and fill boxes with flies that will be very effective and not break the bank.
Make sure you check out my sponsor Risen Fly. They have amazing deals on hooks and beads, but also sell some of the best fly rods Ive ever used, and at a price that is very reasonable. With the cost of fly fishing going up every year, it's refreshing to find great quality gear at prices we can all afford. Best off they are offering all of you a discount just for being my subscriber. So go to www.risenfly.com and type in McFly at checkout for 15% off your first order with them.
Also dont forget to pick up one of my fly boxes. I have both magnetic backed and silicone backed, if these sell well I plan on getting more styles as well and maybe even bringing back the shirts that everyone loved years ago. Check out my amazon store front to pick up the boxes. - www.amazon.com/shops/McFlyAngler
Materials
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Hook: Risen 200 (size 12) - https://www.risenfly.com/collections/hooks/products/streamer-200
Thread: Veevus 6/0 (brown) - https://amzn.to/3Qj4i3H
Stiff Tail: Marabou (brown) - https://amzn.to/4kDfDL5
Soft Tail: Whiting Chickabou (brown) - https://spawnflyfish.com/products/whiting-farms-chickabou-patch?variant=39629103104063
Flash: Krystal Flash (pearl) - https://amzn.to/43FHHr9
Body: Varigated Chenille (brown) - https://amzn.to/4n21VTC
Wire: Ultra Wire (small, gold) - https://amzn.to/44bLkVJ
Stiff Hackle: Rooster Cape (brown) - https://amzn.to/4n325tS
Soft Hackle: Whiting Red Label Hen Saddle (natural brown) - https://amzn.to/3ZqMNou
Head Cement: Solarez Ultra Thin UV Resin - https://solarez.com/bone-dry-intro-kit.html
Tools
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Vise: Renzetti Traveler - https://amzn.to/2t2FFmo
Bobbin: Stonfo Bobtec - https://amzn.to/2YWOf39
Scissors: Risen Spring Assist - https://www.risenfly.com/collections/fly-tying-tools-and-accessories/products/spring-assist-scissors
Whip finisher: Dr. Slick brass - https://amzn.to/2tGYwDW
Hackle Pliers: Umpqua Tiemco Hackle Pliers - https://amzn.to/39REQlB
Fly Tying Bench: Oasis Walnut Compact Bench - https://www.oasisbenches.com/oasis-benches/compact-bench/
UV Light: Solarez UV Cure (high output) - https://www.solarez.com/product/uv-cure-flashlight-high-output/
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ My Fly Boxes▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Magnetic Fly Box - https://amzn.to/3DBwPQl
Silicone Fly Box - https://amzn.to/40haoIX
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