Minimalistic Fly Tying: Black Widow

posted in: Fishing, Fly Tying | 0

The black widow jig nymph is an easy pattern to tie and produces astonishing results.


Easy, catchy flies to tie on a budget

Fly tying has always been something practical for me. I do not tie them just for the sake of the leisure activity but for the upcoming fishing adventures. Subsequently, I am usually on the lookout for the most efficient fly patterns that require the least amount of time and material. They should be fast and easy to tie, need as little material as possible and are efficient. Therefore, I clearly belong to the group of minimalist fly tiers. Although there is the occasional time-consuming and difficult pattern, which has just proven too crucial too neglect nor substitute with anything else. However, today I would like to introduce you to the black widow jig nymph, which can be tied easily and has persuaded many memorable fish.

Brown Trout caught on a Black Widow jig nymph
Brown Trout caught on a Black Widow jig nymph

Black Widow Jig Nymph

Imitates a wide variety of nymphs and given its weight works great as point fly to get down into strike zone.

Black Widow jig nymph
Black Widow jig nymph

Fly Tying Material

  • Hook (size 10-12) preferably a jig
  • 4.5mm Tungsten Bead (Silver)
  • Thread 8/0 Black
  • Hot spot fluo-orange thread 8/0
  • Facultative: lead-free wire to add weight
  • Pheasant Tail natural tail or Coq de Leon
  • Black (Hare) Dubbing à Substitute: Swissline Fox Dub or Swissline Mungge Dub (Marmot)
  • Silver wire for ribbing
Material for Fly Tying this jig nymph
Material for Fly Tying this jig nymph

Black Widow Fly Tying Instructions

  1. Put tungsten beads on all jig hooks.
  2. Form base layer with orange thread and bring it to the hook shank. Tie in tail fibres (pheasant tail or Coq de Leon) before whip finish. Cut excess of tail fibres.
  3. Add lead-free wire as weight if required. Push lead-free wire towards bead. Attach black thread to hook where there is no lead wire. Secure lead wire with a couple of loose wraps of thread.
  4. Taper the body with black thread and attach silver wire. The silver wire should not overlap the lead-free wire so that it facilitates tapering. Make sure to leave a small portion of the underlying orange hotspot visible.
  5. Bring thread to the front and create ribbing by silver wire and tie it down. Add black (dark) dubbing to create thorax and whip finish.

    Secure the fly by UV-glue and brush it with a toothbrush to enhance the look.

Use

The Black Widow jig nymph is easy to tie, sinks fast and is very attractive for trout. I usually fish it as a point fly with a sidearm pulling down a smaller and lighter nymph such as a pheasant tail or tiny Frenchie. This pattern has proven to be used for Czech nymphing but also in an indicator rig.

Fly Tying a Black Widow jig nymph
Fly Tying a Black Widow jig nymph

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