Copper John Skwala

Curtis Fry - March 3, 2014

Wit back and get ready for a 2 hour long dissertation on the merits and history of fishing a Copper John. Or not. Suffice it to say, the CJ is a standard nymph pattern. Suffice it to say that here at Fly Fish Food, we tend to throw a curve at the "stand by" patterns. 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. 

Material List
  • Hook: Fulling Mill 35105 Competition Heavyweight Hook Barbless - 10
  • Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 70 Denier - Black
  • Bead: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Black Nickel - 5/32" (3.8mm)
  • Tail: Nature's Spirit Stripped Goose Biots - Tannish Yellow
  • Body: UTC Ultra Wire - Hot Yellow - Brassie
  • Body: UTC Ultra Wire - Brown - Brassie
  • Wing Case: Thin Skin - Fly Specks, Brown/Black
  • Wing Case: Veevus Holographic Tinsel - Copper - Medium
  • Thorax: Nature's Spirit Bleached Dyed Peacock Sticks - Golden Yellow
  • Legs: Whiting Brahma Hen Saddle - Mottled Gray Dyed Golden Straw
  • Resin: Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish
Materials & Alternate Materials Listed Below
Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Classic Colors
Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Classic Colors

Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Classic Colors

$7.80
UTC Ultra Wire
UTC Ultra Wire

UTC Ultra Wire - Brassie Size

$2.49
Veevus Holographic Tinsel
Veevus Holographic Tinsel

Veevus Holographic Tinsel

$4.49
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread

Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread

$3.49
Nature's Spirit Stripped Goose Biots
Nature's Spirit Stripped Goose Biots
Nature's Spirit Stripped Goose Biots

Nature's Spirit Stripped Goose Biots

$2.75
Thin Skin
Thin Skin
Thin Skin
Thin Skin
Thin Skin
Thin Skin

Thin Skin

$3.49
Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish
Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish

Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish

$19.00
Nature's Spirit Bleached Dyed Peacock Sticks
Nature's Spirit Bleached Dyed Peacock Sticks
Nature's Spirit Bleached Dyed Peacock Sticks

Nature's Spirit Bleached Dyed Peacock Sticks

$4.95
Whiting Brahma Hen Saddle
Whiting Brahma Hen Saddle
Whiting Brahma Hen Saddle

Whiting Brahma Hen Saddle

$28.00