James Smith's "Eyelash Bugger"

Hook Mustad model 410 or 413 with a 60 degree bend, size 4
Thread Black 3/0
Tail Black marabou (black Arctic Fox also works well)
Body Black eyelash yarn (Adrialfil - Stars)
Head Black Bead (also works well with red glass bead)

Tying Directions:

  1. Slip on the bead. If you use a glass bead (red) it helps to give it a coat of 5 minute epoxy. This helps prevent the bead from breaking if you hit anything like a rock.
  2. Next, tie in the marabou tail. Add a couple of strands of Krystal flash. You choose the color, but I have found that black or pearl work best for me.
  3. Tie in the eyelash yarn and wrap forward to the head. As you wrap the yarn forward, stroke the fibers of the yarn towards the rear of the hook. This helps ensure that the fibers are not "trapped" by the wraps as you wrap the yarn.
  4. Tie it off and pick out the yarn to make it as fuzzy as possible.

Notes:

Super easy pattern and also super productive.    

This is a terrific pattern for me and once you see the action of this yarn underwater, you will see what I mean. The Mustad hook with the 60 degree bend and parallel eye tends to make the fly ride keel style, hook up, and greatly reduces the snags.

There are two methods I've found to fish the eyelash bugger that are the most productive for me. The first is to use fairly constant even strips of about 12 - 16 inches long. I let the fly sink for a couple of seconds before starting my retrieve, depending upon where the fish are holding. The constant stripping method creates a terrific jigging action with this fly that works very well for me. The other method I've found productive is to allow the fly to settle to the bottom before starting the retrieve. Then make short, 3 - 4 inch, sharp retrieves with a 2 or 3 second pause between strips. This especially productive in the winter and early spring when the fish are still holding deep and not moving too fast to eat.

The hardest part of tying this pattern is locating the correct eyelash yarn. There are several hundred varieties out there and most will not do the trick. I purchased mine off of ebay in an auction. Since then, I've done some research to locate a reliable source. A company called Adrialfil manufactures it in France. This is their line called Stars. The websites listed below both handle this yarn.

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