Gold Thorax PTN

[scotfly]

I was asked recently on techniques to incorporate a gold bead into the thorax of a fly rather than at the head.  I have shown two (similar) techniques here on a Pheasant Tail Nymph, but you can use them on any nymph.
The first technique incorporates some dubbing into the thorax for a more lifelike look and is my preferred method.

Instructions Assume Right-Handed Tyers.

HOOK ? Drennan Wet Fly Supreme #14
THREAD ? Black 8/0
BEAD ? 2.3mm Gold Bead
TAIL ? Red Game Cock Hackle Fibres
RIB ? Copper Wire
BODY ? 4 Pheasant Tail Fibres
THORAX COVER ? Pheasant Tail Fibres
THORAX ? Hare?s Ear Dubbing

STEP 1
Place the hook in the vice with the bead already mounted.



STEP 2
Attach the thread and catch in the copper wire.



STEP 3
Tie in the tail fibres. I?ve used hackle fibres here because they are more durable, if you prefer you can use the more traditional PT fibres.



STEP 4
Tie in the PT fibres for the body. I?ve used 4 fibres here.



STEP 5
Apply a smear of varnish to the thread wraps, then wrap the PT fibres over the wet varnish to form the body. Tie down the butts, but don?t trim them off.



STEP 6
Wrap the rib in even turns, tie off and twist the waste wire off.



STEP 7
Now fold the PT butts and tie down on top.



STEP 8
Apply a pinch of dubbing to the thread.



Then wrap to form the first part of the thorax. Make a whipfinish here and detach the thread.



STEP 9
Slide the bead up tight to the dubbing and reattach the thread to the right of the bead. Apply another pinch of dubbing to the thread.



And wrap to form the final part of the thorax.



STEP 10
Pull the PT fibres over the top and tie down at the head.



STEP 11
Finally, trim the waste, whipfinish and varnish for the completed fly.




The second technique is pretty much the same, but without the dubbing. I?ve used a different hook here because I like a slightly bigger bead for this technique, normally a 2.6mm bead. I don?t have any 2.6 mm beads left and the nearest I have is marked up as 3mm, but I checked the size and they are actually 3.3mm! Not so common now, but at one time it was rare for the bead size to be accurate.

HOOK ? Tiemco 5262 #14
THREAD ? Black 8/0
BEAD ? 2.6 mm Gold Bead
TAIL ? Red Game Cock Hackle Fibres
RIB ? Copper Wire
BODY ?  6 Pheasant Tail Fibres
THORAX COVER ? Pheasant Tail Fibres


Follow steps 1 to 7 above.

STEP 8
I like to add a few extra PT fibres here. Tie in directly on top of the butts left over from the body. Again, whipfinish and detach the thread.



STEP 9
Slide the bead up to the body and reattach the thread, building a taper in front (to the right) of the bead to hold it in place. You can if you wish add a spot of Superglue to secure the bead, but I think it is unnecessary.




STEP 10
Fold the fibres over and tie down.



STEP 11
Whipfinish and varnish to complete the fly.



The two techniques side by side for comparison.

[Wildfisher]

I like both of these Dennis, but the first one is best to my eye

[Dave1]

Never thought about doing that in the first version....... i must try.

[Clan Chief]

Great idea! Must give that a go.especially the first one.