Articulated Micro-Spine Bugger Changer: Fly Tying Tutorial

flymenfishingc...
Taking the Iconic Woolly Bugger Fly to the Next Level - While the original Woolly Bugger gets its movement in the water from the undulation of its marabou and hackle body materials, the Bugger Changer combines this body material undulation with lifelike articulation, made possible at this micro scale with the new Fish-Skull Chocklett's Articulated Micro-Spine system.
In this Bugger Changer fly tying tutorial, Blane Chocklett walks you through how to tie this fly in detail, including tips and tricks on tying with the new Articulated Micro-Spine system.
Fly Recipe
Hook: Kona Big Game Hunter, size #6 (flymenfishingc...)
Thread: 6/0
Tail: Mini Marabou, black + Hackle, Indian Hen Saddle
Shanks 1, 2, 3, and 4: Fish-Skull Articulated Micro-Spine, 8 mm (flymenfishingc...)
Body: H20 Streamer Brush
Body: Hackle, Indian Hen Saddle
Shank 5: Fish-Skull Articulated Fish-Spine, 15 mm (flymenfishingc...)
Eyes: Dumbell
Head: H20 Streamer Brush + Hackle, Indian Hen Saddle

[@xonflame]

Awesome tie , I used what I had and I tied this with a longer shank hook with dumbbell eyes on the front , plus I used UV ice fibres in dubbing loops instead of the wrap and works great . Great videos , more please . I love the GameChanger .

[@joshuafahrney8051]

Excellent video! I’ve been waiting for shanks this size for a long time. Please grease whatever the hell squeaked 1000 times in this video :)

[@mikeking453]

Awesome! You do a fantastic job explaining what you are doing. thanks for posting this excellent fly tying video

[@fishlipflycollective142]

i find the stinger hook on the tail version catches me more fish on these small changer patterns than the ones with the hook near the head. this is a must have in any trout water

[@TheFlymanJim]

I'm waiting for your shanks now but in the meantime I tied a Game Changer (first one) with cut off hook shanks. I took it across the street to check the action and caught a 15" Brown in less then 10 minutes. Can't wait to have the proper materials.

[@joemoore4037]

I like those shanks very nice fly thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@woolybugger9429]

Damn. Priceless info in this video. Good stuff!

[@NewEnglandStreamers]

Epic Creation. Big flies catch big fish! 🎣

[@FlymenFishing]

Thank you!

[@paulobainz1210]

Can't wait to try this out on the creek with my one weight.

[@xonflame]

Back . I just invented the SeaDucer GameChanger . I might post a vid about it later .

[@jkdurden]

As long as you’re willing to put the work in and fish it where you should fish it. One might tear up if you latch on to a deep log.

[@huntingicon]

Very, very cool. I wouldn't mind seeing a video on how you make the micro brushes

[@bradylawrence45]

They are “just add h20 streamer brushes, come in variety of sizes

[@chrisroberts3963]

Holy cow, just got mine and they are tiny! I can’t wait to tie with them. Since the book still isn’t out yet I hope you do another video of tying the Damsel changer that on Blane has on his Instagram page.

[@martinbawden1966]

Got a few more in the works.....stay tuned

[@bugbiteflytying]

Awesome fly. I noticed that some of these have a hook up front and one in back. This has just the hook in the back. Are their any issues with hook ups with hook in the back?

[@swordfish9921]

So great

[@flyfisher56ify]

Just received my order of micro game changers....are they ever tiny....tied up a stone fly variation ...looks ok. Is their a chance that Blane make a video of tying the stone fly game changer....please and thanks......Rollie

[@K3Flyguy]

Is there any underwater video showing the action?

[@420Durban]

Could you use a hook in the front instead of a 15mm spine and attach the tail section to the hook using wire?

[@domtiesflies743]

Where do I pick up those lead eyes? They've never seen them at my local shop and it's one of the biggest online retailers in the nation.

[@toncremers9776]

Hello...i like the micro changers, really nice flies...i have a question about the filler material you use. Can i use instead the brush...finesse filler flash?.or is this material to soft for the hackle. In the netherlands it is very very difficult to buy this small steamer brushes. Many thanks for your answer and advise

[@martinbawden1966]

The smaller the fly, the more dense the body needs to be, so filler flash is too sparse and too long. For flies tied using the Micro shanks, a 1/2" inch brush works really well. However, you can easily get the same effect by using a dubbing loop and any synthetic or natural dubbing mix.

[@toncremers9776]

@@martinbawden1966 Thank you very much for your openness and give a response. I will practice with dubbing loops because in the Netherlands no streamer brushes of a small dimensions are for sale.

[@mattlittle3330]

As Martin said, a dubbing loop will work. I love the convenience of a brush but I like the customizations I can make with a dubbing loop better. I like to use 50GSP thread if I am looping a changer. I love a UV Clear underbody with either gold, silver, or pink tinsel with White or Cream Hackle put in front. When it is wet is looks like a shore minnow.

[@leonardwells9613]

Excellent pattern, great tie …..you could put a dab of wax on that bobbin and eliminate that shrill squeak…my wife just came running in worried about WHATS THAT SQUEAKING ????…it is pretty bad !!!! Just saying ! L 🤣🤣

[@leechamberlain3762]

With the Changers weighting more than typical flies, what weight of fly line would you use with this particular G.changer?

[@martinbawden1966]

The fly is tied with Feathers, so it weighs about the same as a normal, weighted Woolly Bugger. A normal 4-6 weight trout setup should work just fine.

[@leechamberlain3762]

Thank you!

[@smooth122262]

what diameter is the wire used for those spines?

[@foxymuldar]

What color 1/2 inch Streamer Brush are you using and where can I buy it. I only found one place that sells the half inch size and not sure they have the color your using. It looks like a yellow color. They do have golden brown which might be the color your using. Not easy to make these if we can't get the 1/2 inch brushes.

[@FlymenFishing]

We will have them available soon, hopefully. The closest that is for sale now is the 1/2" streamer brush from R-Distribution (renzetti). Hope this helps- Scotty

[@jerrythomas7062]

I tied a bunch of these in various colors and they've been very productive. I've ha a problem with the spines coming apart at the round eye on a couple of these. The trout weren't really really big - 17-19" maybe up to two or three pounds but no bigger. Has this been an issue with these previously? These spines don't seem to be hardened but a somewhat soft at this point and appear to be pulling apart enough at this joint to disassemble. Any ideas for correcting this would be helpful Thanks - Jerry Thomas