Tying Sawyer's Killer Bug with Davie McPhail

Materials Used Sawyer's Killer Bug,
Hook, Fulling Mill All-Purpose Medium size 12
Thread, Veniards Xtra Fine Copper Wire 0.125mm
Body, Chadwicks 477 Wool/Yarn
The Bug,
Hook, Fulling Mill Czech Nymph Size 12 Black Nickel
Thread, Veniards Xtra Fine Copper Wire 0.125mm
Body, An Equal Mix of Fulling Mill Euro Dub Tan UV and Dark Hare's Ear UV
Rib, Copper Wire..

[@mikelundrigan2285]

Been recycling strands of copper wire from expired electric kettles (cords) etc. and weighting my hooks, very much as this video, for many years. I also use it as ribbing, a single strand as fine, 2 parallel strands as medium etc. When adding it as weight, I soak the wound strands as you did the butt. I also use it to make a version of a bead head, soaked as well with SH hard as nails etc. A very useful material, readily available and mostly free! I don’t have any Chadwick’s etc. and think any similar colour wool etc.would likely work but will have to put that to the test this coming season! Been tying for 55 years! Thanks for all your videos over the years! I hope to see many more! 😊

[@Cream-z3o]

This is amazing. The materials and tools are truly special. However, it is also because of the tying technique that beautiful flies are completed. I saw some good things.

[@adamr1162]

That's such a simple pattern, but I love it. I need to put a half dozen in my box for after the thaw. Cheers!

[@gregwasko5821]

Great ideas.. I'v been striping broken guitar strings. Great tye, Davie, as always, Thank you!

[@rock_machine01]

You’ve got great precision in all these flies I love it.

[@chjin2ne]

"Okay!! It's been a while, but I wanted to leave a comment. I bought Chadwick's 477 on eBay. It's a Veniard product. The problem is the wire!! I used UTC XS, but it keeps snapping to the point where it's unusable. The SM or BR sizes don't have the right thickness either... So I ordered Veniard XS from eBay as well. Is there any way to prevent the wire from snapping? As always, love your awesome videos!!"

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi @chjin2ne, It's important that you adjust the arms of the bobbin holder so that the wire runs smoothly from it and I would recommend using a ceramic version, the one I personally use is the heavy-duty Tiemco bobbin holder which I've used since 1990 and I still have it.. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.. All the very best Davie

[@chjin2ne]

@@DavieMcPhail "Thank you, Davie. After watching the video, I got myself a heavy-duty Tiemco bobbin holder. I’ll make sure to adjust it properly. You are my mentor. I’ve been carefully studying and following your videos for a year now, and my skills have greatly improved. I’m always grateful. I support you."

[@MyPancho1]

Thanks Davie Love these Killer Bugs as ALWAYS ..

[@TheWobblyFace]

Hi Davie, nice instructional video of your usual quality. I'm surprised you didn't mention the alternative wool for the "killer bug". Jamieson's Of Shetland sell it (there may be other retailers), Spindrift wool in Oyster. You need to remove a strand to get similar thickness of wool to Chadwicks (which now costs an arm and leg if you can find it). All the best.

[@keithelliot3772]

Nice fly Davie, Tight lines.

[@alvydass4004]

Thank you Davie for good fly and recipe!!!

[@puccini4530]

Brilliant. I might also try that with an added shell back before ribbing.

[@simonhughes7141]

Particularly like the curved hook and dubbed version

[@Abcd12342600]

Nice use of the wool, not bulk or waste

[@ceesbouma2776]

Great bug and scud fly thanks for tying it, greetings from the Netherlands 👍🏻

[@komando8365]

Awesome flies! Can’t beat the original KB.

[@JustGoneFishing]

I will try the dark grey version for searun trout in Denmark soon. Looks like a killer!

[@krallmi48]

I did enjoy it, Davie... thank you. Mike

[@RowanClark-gr3cg]

Simple and effective. Excellent patterns

[@hirkojs]

Awesome patterns, Mega Thx Davie !!!

[@adamr1162]

Just made 6. The first 3 were with a “dirty bug” yarn, and the last I blended some black, white and ice flash dubbing. I think they’ll fish - we’ll find out Friday morning. Hitting the Dungeness River in western Washington state. Cheers Davie!

[@adamr1162]

Just found out the Dungeness is closed to fishing. Looks like I’m finding another spot.

[@adamr1162]

I spent a morning on the Sol Duc River. Beautiful day. Cold runoff through the waders!

[@jorvikangler]

The fetish about Chadwick's 477 always amuses me, especially given that most people use copper coloured wire like you used. The wire Sawyer used was red enamelled wire from relay coils. In use the heat would turn the enamel to a brownish red.

[@waynegraff3942]

😂😅🤣😂

[@Steviemac05]

Your very own stalker here Davie 👀👀😂

[@waynegraff3942]

I have always thought the Killer Bug represented a Crane Fly larva very well.

[@donaloflynn3922]

Interesting bug! Thanks Davie

[@allensnook7760]

Found ur site by accident but very pleasesd with your patterns.this bug reminds me of our native sow bug,freshwater shrimp type bug.so should be very good imitation of such,will try some.hey we have a small early flat stonefly that comes on in may its yellow but prior to fishing season is small black one.have tied those with success but do you have a yellow one your fond of.would like to see it n tye.!!!snookie pa😊😊😊😊

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

It seems one can no longer get Chadwicks wool. I've been looking for a substitute in the appropriate shade or color, that said I've found 1 by semperfli though the reviews indicate it is not even close to the same as the old Chadwick's 477. That said, where can one get something like this?

[@baronvongrimm4780]

Got any good scud patterns Davie?

[@sonja9001]

Preliminary search said only a substitute is available for Chadwick’s 477. Bummer! Like here is where my mind goes with it….477 probably has certain pheromones that giant brown trout and James Bond can only smell.

[@bentpolski]

BRAVO Davie. Chadwicks is relatively non existent anymore. If You can find it they want Gold and Diamonds for it. TO THE VISE!

[@burtonbrocious171]

Great video davie tks for posting 😊

[@scottnock5241]

I love that 2nd one!!!

[@dominiqueleblanc2193]

Basicaly, it's a gamarus/scud?

[@DavieMcPhail]

👍

[@Scott___T]

I'd like to see both of them wet to see how close they are when fished.

[@Madmicksoutdooractivities]

Fantastic this

[@CORTEXFLY]

My favorite ❤️

[@jarekfly9666]

Skromne ale piękne pozdrawiam 💪🏻

[@stuartmarriott8056]

I’ve always thought the Killer Bug looks more like the maggots started fishing with as a kid. But then, given its original purpose (to remove those pesky Grayling) that couldn’t possibly be true, could it…….🤔

[@donprater2754]

Does that imitate a sow bug Mr Mcphail?

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Don, They will imitate a sow bug and especially small freshwater shrimp in the rivers and lochs.. All the very best Davie..

[@JohnAmidon-c6r]

👍👍

[@АлександрНовиков-ф5х]

👍💪

[@guybaumgartner4244]

very nice

[@philipjones6083]

That wool is now like hens teeth and very expensive

[@BoulderHikerBoy]

The dubbed version wins! Super buggy.

[@АлексейР-ф8ю]

🙂👍🏻