Two Bit Hooker Fly Tying - Tied by Charlie Craven

Ah…the Two Bit Hooker. This is one of my favorite patterns ever and I can honestly say it’s one found on the end of my tippet most days. I just don’t fish without it. I love to fish it, and it was designed to be fished, on a dropper under a dry fly, but I also use it in a two fly rig when I have to get dirty.
My favorite versions are a size 14 red tied with 3/32″ tungsten beads and a black size 18 tied with 1/16″ tung beads. The dark olive is a huge seller as is the brown version and the new color additions of both pink and purple have been deadly. The short answer is; you can’t really go wrong with a Two Bit.
I developed this fly to be slim, slick and heavy and you can read more about the design thoughts and process in my Charlie’s Fly Box book if you’re into that sort of thing (and I appreciate the support).
Fly Tying Recipe:
(Click the links below to purchase the materials from our store)
Hook: #12-18 Tiemco 3769
charliesflyboxinc.com/product...
Beads: 2 Copper Tungsten Beads, 1/16″ for a #18, 5/64″ for the #16 and 3/32″ for the #14
charliesflyboxinc.com/product...
Thread: Rusty Brown Danville 6/0
charliesflyboxinc.com/product...
Tail: Mottled Brown Hen Saddle Fibers
charliesflyboxinc.com/product...
Abdomen: Tying thread.
Rib: Black 14/0 Veevus Thread
charliesflyboxinc.com/product...
Wingcase: Medium Opal Mirage Tinsel
charliesflyboxinc.com/product...
Thorax: Rusty Brown Superfine Dubbing
charliesflyboxinc.com/product...
Legs: Mottled Brown Hen Saddle Fibers
charliesflyboxinc.com/product...
Coating: Solarez Thin Hard UV Resin
charliesflyboxinc.com/product...

[@willshunting]

Heads up regarding the black spotting around the underside of your Dyna-king's jaws. Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion via it forming a micro-surface layer of metal oxide which, once deep and even enough, acts like a resistant skin. Therefore, where the incipient oxide layer is repeatedly removed, say by inadvertant finger rubbing, the salts in hand sweat can initiate pitting corrosion, which presents as the black spots seen in this close-up footage. These pits can progress to a surprising depth if left unaddressed. Pitting is more likely to initiate where the stainless has been surface hardened via heat treatment. I have stolen one of my wife's flexible nail buffing 'sticks' which has three grades of gently abrasive surface on it. It is perfect for buffing away any such marks as soon as they appear and keeps my beloved Barrucuda looking brand new.

[@matthewmurphy1181]

Great fly. Love it for pocket water.

[@flatbedful]

Great Pattern! On the list!!

[@jonahex8463]

It looks like a fish catching fly for sure. Love it.😊👍🏻

[@cachi-7878]

That is an outstanding fly. I like how you tied the legs.

[@straffordtyer]

Excellent tying

[@hankvana2149]

Nice one Charlie! Thanks for sharing!

[@Hunter711pa]

Very nice Charlie. Thank you for the video the way you explain each step of the fly and all the little tips and techniques are very helpful. Appreciate it!

[@metubewot]

An excellent demo', thank you.

[@brianfeeney9493]

Nice - Nice 👍🏻👍🏻 HOOKER Charlie !!!!! Merry Christmas 🎄 Brother 🙏🏻 ✨🎣💫

[@ronporreca9574]

Charlie - I could watch you make thread wraps all day! They are perfection! Can’t wait to tie up a few hookers … Two Bit Hooker flies that is! I didn’t mean real hookers! Sheesh!

[@chrisbukowski9434]

Works well

[@madvetwoodworking3576]

Cool fly starting fly tying 101 with PHWFF soon

[@timg2798]

I have an idea for a fly.. use 90% of the material from a partridge pelt.. use the marabou for the tail and all the different size feathers from the rump to the neck with a little Lazer dub for the head and some eyes.. perfect small streamer.. size 10 ish... call it a Hungarian striper!

[@snakeoiler2921]

What colors do you recommend?

[@richardduvall6512]

Great demo and fly though I don't know what dry fly you would use if this was a dry dropper with 2 tungsten beads on it lol

[@CharliesFlyBox]

A Fat Angie or Charlie Boy Hopper will float a Two Bit with no problems!

[@bradstrong4155]

Charlie, been working on these for a bit. I have a bunch that are less than stellar. Surely that has happened to you. I mean they are OK, but not what I would like. Do you fish them anyway? Or do you cut off all the thread and dubbing and start over? Im thinking I should just use a razor blade and cut off everything but the beads and start over.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

I guess that depends on how bad they are, how picky you are and how much time you’ve got. I throw bad flies in the trash! lol

[@leonardwells9613]

Love this pattern, great tie as always !! How can I get one of the SHORT NEEDLE bodkins ? L 👍🎣👍

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Give us a call at the shop!

[@ChrisBalfanz]

why two beads? Wouldn't it be easier to cast, and just as effective, with just one?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

No, because it wouldn’t sink as fast. And even with two beads it’s not hard to cast.

[@ChrisBalfanz]

@@CharliesFlyBox The hot pink hooker pulled through for me last night during a massive sulphur hatch (unfortunately I left my dry flies at home)! I did alter to just one bead and some lead free wire and I used natural mallard flank for the tail as I though the color combo looked nice with the silver rib and black thorax - I have a thing about chucking too much tungsten - don't get me started! Thanks