How to Tie a Zug Bug Nymph Fly Pattern

with: Isaac Ness

The Zug Bug is a classic nymph pattern that features peacock curl as the primary material, giving it a unique, lifelike appeal in the water. Perfect for both beginners and experienced fly tiers, this pattern is versatile and effective. Follow these steps to create your own Zug Bug nymph fly!

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prepare the Peacock Curl Tail:

   • Start by selecting three strands of peacock curl. Line them up to ensure they’re roughly the same length.

   • Tie the strands in at the back of the hook, adjusting the length to create a nice, natural tail.

   • Make sure they are secure by wrapping your thread forward to lock them in place.

2. Add the Wire:

   • Attach a piece of nickel or silver wire just behind the bead, on the far side of the hook.

   • Wrap the thread forward to cover the hook shank, ensuring that the wire is tightly secured.

3. Wrap the Peacock Curl Body:

   • Counter-wrap the peacock curl forward along the hook shank. This counter-wrapping technique helps ensure a firm hold and a well-formed body.

   • Once you’ve wrapped the peacock curl to about the middle of the hook, you can move forward and secure it with your thread.

   • Leave a bit of space at the head to avoid crowding the collar area.

4. Secure the Wire:

   • Start wrapping the wire over the peacock curl in even, tight turns.

   • Apply moderate pressure to make sure the wire secures the body material.

   • Once you reach the front, tie off the wire with a few wraps, then helicopter it off.

5. Tie in the Peacock Hackle Wing Case:

   • Take the butt ends of a peacock hackle feather and tie it in on top of the hook to form the wing case.

   • Trim the hackle to the desired length, ensuring it covers the body appropriately.

6. Add the Red Hackle Collar:

   • Select a small red hackle feather. Trim the fibers to avoid overly large ones.

   • Tie in the red hackle at the front of the fly, wrapping it around the collar to create a slight flare.

   • Make sure the fibers point backwards and trim off any excess.

7. Whip Finish and Secure:

   • Perform a whip finish to secure the thread at the front of the fly.

   • Cut off any excess thread and apply a small amount of head cement to ensure everything stays in place.

8. Final Touches:

   • Allow the head cement to dry completely, and your Zug Bug nymph is ready to go!

Materials List:

• Hook: Standard nymph hook (size 12-16)

• Bead: Gold or silver tungsten bead

• Thread: Black or dark brown 6/0 thread

• Tail: 3 strands of peacock curl

• Body: Peacock curl

• Wire: Nickel or silver wire for ribbing

• Wing Case: Peacock hackle

• Collar: Small red hackle feather

• Head cement