Possie Bugger Fly Tying Instructions by Charlie Craven

Fly Tying Recipe:
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HOOK- TIEMCO TMC 5262 #10-#14
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THREAD - UNI 6/0 BLACK
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WEIGHT - LEAD WIRE. SIZED TO HOOK
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BEAD - GOLD BRASS BEAD (10 = 3.8MM; #12 = 3.3MM; #14 = 2.8MM)
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TAIL 1 - AUSTRALIAN POSSUM OR RABBIT FUR NATURAL
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TAIL 2 - PEARL FLASHABOU
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RIB 1- PEARL FLASHABOU
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RIB 2 (OPTIONAL) - UTC ULTRA WIRE BRASSIE COPPER
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BODY/ABDOMEN- AUSTRALIAN POSSUM FUR (NATURAL) OR HARELINE DUBBIN (HARE'S EAR)
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COLLAR SOFT HACKLE - BRAHMA HEN (MOTTLED GRAY) OR PARTRIDGE (NATURAL)
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COLLAR DUBBING - HARELINE DUBBIN BLACK
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[@autzenduck989]

Nice - I usually add a wrap of copper or red copper wire with the flash along the body here in Oregon. It’s almost cheating on the McKenzie River.

[@Professorcnile1]

Awesome, thanks for sharing! Reminds me of the Dirty Bird!

[@mattlittle3330]

Love this tie Charlie!. I had a book when I was a wee lad that had a fly called the Beaded Nymph in it. I used to take old inline spinners and cut them to harvest the brass beads on them to tie nymphs in the 80's. Not as elegant as yours. I used Cocker Spaniel underfur from my pooch for the body and chicken feathers I dyed with a sharpie. The rib was salvaged streamers from a neighbors bicycle or copper wire I got from my Stomper 4x4 battery powered trucks. Pretty sure I tied them on size 6 crappie hooks too. The panfish in my community pond loved them.

[@johnshand6176]

Thanks, Charlie. The perfect fly for us Kiwis as the Australian Opposum is a real pest for us as it destroys our forest, eats our native birds and their eggs, and luckily for fly tyers is the number one roadkill available. The fur is often combined with Merino wool and makes excellent Jerseys(sweaters). I like your version and will make a few up for my next trip to the river down-under. Regards.

[@Jay-xv1jd]

Great tie! Winter in Canada is ending and I'm ready! Tight lines!

[@mholzman50]

Thanks Charlie, I always enjoy your videos as they are so straight forward and easy to follow for us who must watch and tie at the same time. Always top drawer! Thanks again.

[@cachi-7878]

Nice fly, Charlie.

[@thomasw_]

Thanks for the tie and the history lesson, Charlie! Looks like an extremely buggy wet attractor pattern.

[@brianfeeney9493]

Nothing Wrong with a Mature Pattern ……. Adam’s still fool ‘EM ,EH !!!! Nice Twist Charlie ✨ 🎣 💫

[@rickwollum3732]

Hi Charlie, I remember when we were much younger men, boys actually. This was before bead heads made it to the shores of north

[@jonahex8463]

Man, that is gorgeous! Thxs for sharing.😊👍🏻

[@hankvana2149]

Nice tie Charlie! I used to have a small patch of Australian Possum, when I had to look for a substitute I found that raccoon tail has similar texture and underfur. The guard hairs have a bit of translucency to them and the colors range from pale tan to a warm golden tan for the light bands and chocolate brown to black on the dark bands depending on the tail. The longer raccoon guard hairs work very well on the large (up to size 2) "Casual Dress" flies I tie for bass.

[@gregsage1605]

I love this fly. Very similar to many other flies I tie but better.

[@mikehulsey4813]

As always, great tie Charlie. You make this look way too easy man, but many of us know better lol.

[@robertandersson331]

very nice thank you for sharing,great story too

[@kellysmith4555]

Great job I have been using porcupine fur looks a lot like that

[@paulpavich4117]

You should see the color variation of the N.Z. possums. It is a road kill bonaza there. They are Aussie by the way. Introduced. Paul.

[@wingman8447]

Nice variant to a Guides Choice Hares Ear. I’ll try some. Thank you.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

I think you mean the GCHE is a nice variation of the Possie Bugger! This was literally one of the first half dozen or so bead flies ever introduced way back when. lol

[@wingman8447]

Yes yes. Exactly. Lol

[@varmintassassins8924]

nice! id love to see videos on your new drunken suzie and wonder boy.

[@lauriebroomhead5044]

Possum is protected in Australia but considered a pest in NZ. Hence, I think you could get a skin from NZ.

[@dominiqueleblanc2193]

I do a similar one but use muskrat.

[@netrich143]

[@gldead3741]

Great video . Question what to substitute for the Australian Opossum ?

[@hankvana2149]

I used to have a small patch of Australian Possum, found that raccoon tail has similar texture and underfur. The guard hairs are longer and have a bit of translucency to them.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Hare’s mask too

[@troydp23]

May you please tie a zonker STYLE fly in the next video?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

www.flyfisherman.com/editorial/fly-tying-zonker-fly/151849

[@edstephens9235]

22; but I don't think the fish count them.