How to get a two-toned body
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Two-Toned Skwala Style Copper John |
This is a round-about imitation of a Skwala Stonefly nymph. Obviously not exact and it's meant to be more of an overall searching pattern for the spring. It will sink like a rock and get down fast.
The two-tone method on the wire is actually comprised of three separate strands of wire -- two yellow and one brown -- all wrapped forward at the same time. Check out the video to get the main idea.
Two-Toned Skwala Copper John
Material List
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Hook: Fulling Mill 35025 Grab Gape Hook, Barbless - 10


Bead: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Black Nickel - 5/32" (3.8mm)


Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 70 Denier - Black


Tail: Nature's Spirit Stripped Goose Biots - Tannish Yellow


Body 1: UTC Ultra Wire - Hot Yellow - Brassie


Body 2: UTC Ultra Wire - Brown - Brassie


Wing Case 1: Thin Skin - Fly Specks, Brown/Black


Wing Case 2: Veevus Holographic Tinsel - Copper - Medium


Thorax: Nature's Spirit Bleached Dyed Peacock Sticks - Golden Yellow


Legs: Coq De Leon Hen Saddle - Speckled Copper Olive


Wing Case Coat: Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish


Other tools from the tutorial:
C&F Design Hackle Pliers ![]() ![]() |
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That is one sexy ass fly. I was at the bench last night experimenting, I just got in some medium hot yellow, and medium brown- I went 2 strands and it did NOT look as good as yours with the 3 strands. Also- I was tying on a typical stonefly hook (long, down slope), but I"m think I like your cj nymph profile approach better. Awesome job.
ReplyDeleteThanks man. Curtis killed it with this bug. The real key to tying a clean copper john is laying down a nice tapered and FLAT thread base to wrap the wire over. Any bumps in the thread will show up in the wire wraps.
DeleteWay to nail it Curtis! I'm thinkin sz 12 2x, black, purple and blue wire with a blue holo stripe on the wing case for a Young CJ stone. Thanks for the tutorial, its helped me a bunch!
ReplyDeletelong ass time to spend on a fly that is going to get lost asap
ReplyDeleteTrue. Just as well use cheese on a hook. Powerbait maybe, but still a bit more expensive than cheese.
DeleteNight crawler on a hook is faster than powerbait... Curtis is a noob.
Delete