johnk

Choosing the Coppertop for a step by step was a no-brainer. This is a pattern that is extremely productive in the Interior, and Tunkwa/Leighton more specifically, from May 1st to September.

Materials needed to tie this pattern are as follows:

Hook: Mustad C49S Size 8-14 (Size 10 shown)
Bead: 1/8th-3/32nd (7/64th shown)
Underbody #1: White Uni-Stretch
Underbody #2: Red holographic tinsel
Gills: White Uni-Stretch
Body: Dark reddish brown Rainy's Stretchflex 1/8"
Rib: UTC Small Copper Wire
Finish Coat: Hard As Hull



Put copper bead on hook, small hole first, and insert hook in vise. Slide bead back and mount thread behind eye of hook. Take a small clump of Uni-Stretch and secure directly behind eye and whip finish and cut thread.



Slide bead forward to eye and mount Uni-Stretch behind bead the same way you would mount your tying thread. Using pressure against the bead force your first couple of wraps into hole at back of bead. To create a taper, wind uni-stretch 1/4" down shank and back to the bead and repeat with each time wrapping further down shank until desired taper is achieved. Tie a single halfhitch behind eye and cut Uni-Stretch. This step, once mastered, will take you less than 10 seconds to complete.



Mount tying thread at back end of taper and cover Uni as you wrap back up to the eye. Wrap back down to 1/8" behind bead and tie in copper wire rib on bottom of shank.



Wind thread 3/4 of the way down the shank securing wire rib to bottom of the shank along the way. Take Stretchflex and make a 45 degree cut to the end creating a thin tie-in point.



Lash the stretchflex and wire together to the hook as you wind the rest of the way to the tail of the fly. At this point tie in red holographic tinsel and wind your thread back to behind bead.



Wind red holo up the shank in close touching turns to create underbody and tie off, cutting excess tinsel.



Wrap stretchflex up shank and tie off behind bead cutting off excess and make sure it is tied down with strong tension. (The amount you stretch it and the degree of overlapping will create different effects on the finished pattern. I like to stretch tightly near the tail to create a "redbutt effect".



Wrap wire rib up in evenly spaced turns (unlike what I did) tie off, cut and whipfinish. I like to cover 40% of the bead with thread before whipfinishing. Apply Hard As Hull or coating of your choice to finish the pattern off.


When tying this pattern for myself I tie half with the rib under the stretchflex and with a black beadhead for when the trout are being more selective. Enjoy it!

PS: Yes Fred, you are getting some of these.......in two sizes!