Fly Tying: Lightning Bug

[@jdigioia1130]

Thanks for sharing this tie, love the profile of this bug. The legs are a bit of a challenge, but hopefully I’ll get it down after some practice! 🎣

[@skylerhardman1227]

Glad you liked it! Took me some practice too. Keep at it!

[@oliverwilliamson3910]

Nice fly, I especially like how you add the legs, i have incorporated this into my pattern. I wasn't able to get holo tinsel without sending away for it so I use perl mylar wrapped over different coloured threads, it seems to work great. BTW I really like your scud pattern, best one I've seen.

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks Oliver! I bet your mylar tinsel technique works great, I think its just a matter of getting the color right and adding some flash, which it sounds like you are doing. Creating variations of other people's patterns is how you discover new things that work anyway, so best of luck with it! I'm glad you liked the scud, I've put a lot of time experimenting before I landed on that pattern so I'm glad to share it with others and I hope it catches lots of fish for everyone else as well including you. Thanks again.

[@toddfriedmar8126]

Really well done presentation. Easy to follow.

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@toddfriedmar8126]

Skyler Hardman, if you get a chance checkout the Facebook group Solarez Fly Tying - North America. I wanted to make sure that your tutorial was recognized. I also have the image of my versions of the Lightening Bug Fly that you shared. m.facebook.com/groups/SolarezFlyTyingNA/?ref=group_header&view=group

[@bjrnthorness1151]

the jig euro nymph version is my go to fly. in the olive and brown.

[@skylerhardman1227]

Sounds like a killer combo!

[@rjf1877]

Great video, I really like your presentation. Thanks !

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks!

[@kennyb214]

Killer tie

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks!

[@PRACERZ]

Very SWEET 👍

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks!

[@justindesign]

well done, really nice.

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks!

[@mybackcast]

Hello, I fished with the inventor of this pattern. His name was Larry Graham from Kirkland, Washington. He was a guide on the Yakima river in Eastern Washington. Thanks

[@skylerhardman1227]

That's awesome! He invented a great pattern.

[@schmoonkie]

Hello Skyler. Thanks for the video. Well done. I want to tie a bunch of your version of this fly for my upcoming trip to Montana. One question is the material you used for the tail and legs: Coq de Leon Hen in Brown. Can you please be more specific on what to get? I'm not finding Coq de Leon in Brown. Charlie's Fly Box, for example, lists Whiting Coq de Leon Hen Saddle in Speckled Brown and Brown Speckled. The description says: "perfect for streamer collars and nymph tails and legs." Thanks much!

[@skylerhardman1227]

Hi! Sorry for my delayed response. Covid had not been kind to tax accountants, I feel like this year with never end. Yes what you are describing sounds like the correct material. I use whiting coq de leon speckled brown for these flies.

[@patricklyons5056]

Nice pattern there ,thanks. Hope 2021 is better in every way !

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks!

[@raydowdy6630]

What colors do you use for winter?

[@skylerhardman1227]

It really depends on the river but I've had great luck with purple and black and on some rivers the classic silver produces well. Black and dark olive work well in the spring.

[@Lathan308]

Nice looking flies, now I know what to do with all that holo tinsel I bought : ) do you know any good places to get coq de Leon online

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks! I buy mine locally, but it looks like you can get them from Fly Fish Food. Feather emporium sells them too, but I had a really bad experience resulting in me having to wait 30 days to get my money back and never hearing from the site owner nor receiving my feathers, so I'd watch out if you're looking at that site.

[@minaviladas2855]

That’s strange about your experience with Feather Emporium. I’ve bought a bunch of stuff from them, it’s always been a very good service and quality feathers. Great pattern!

[@skylerhardman1227]

Mina Viladas Thanks! I was recommended the site by a friend who's also has only had great experiences with them. I think my order was just a fluke but I have a hard time recommending them now because it's been my only experience.

[@ronbrooks3219]

@@skylerhardman1227 I had a very bad experience at Feather Emporium. I'll never go back. Had to fight to get my $$ back. Dishonest...

[@stevemiller2470]

Why do you call it the “lightning bug”

[@skylerhardman1227]

The original is tied with silver tinsel and was named the lightning bug. These are color variations of that pattern. I actually don't know who invented it but I do know the name of the fly.

[@brooktroutangler5917]

Substitute peacock ice dub or AZ synthetic peacock dubbing for thorax.

[@skylerhardman1227]

I like that dubbing a lot and I've used it on other flies.