The Woolly Bugger is one of the most versatile streamers in freshwater fishing. It suggests a leech, sculpin, hellgrammite, baitfish, or simply something alive and edible. Olive and brown match sculpin and leech; black provides maximum silhouette in off-color or low-light water; white imitates baitfish such as shiners and dace.
1. Weight (optional) — Wrap 10–15 turns of lead wire on the front third of the shank. Cover with thread to form a smooth ramp.
2. Thread base — Attach thread at the eye in your chosen color, cover the lead, and build a base to the bend.
3. Tail — Tie in a generous bunch of marabou at the bend, one hook-shank in length. Add two strands of Krystal Flash along each side.
4. Body prep — Tie in a hackle by the tip at the bend, then tie in a length of chenille in your chosen color.
5. Body — Wind the chenille forward in tight touching turns to just behind the eye. Tie off.
6. Palmer hackle — Wind the hackle forward over the body in open spirals. Tie off and trim.
7. Head — Build a smooth, tapered head. Whip finish and apply head cement.
