Tying the Copper John Fly: A Step-by-Step Guide
Fly fishing enthusiasts, gather 'round! In this article, we will guide you through the process of tying the renowned Copper John fly, a classic pattern that has consistently proven its worth on the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice looking to expand your fly tying skills, we've got you covered. So, let's dive in and get those vise grips ready!
Introduction to the Copper John Fly
The Copper John is a small nymph fly that has stood the test of time in the world of fly fishing. This versatile pattern imitates various aquatic insects and is known for its ability to attract trout. In this tutorial, we'll walk you through the steps of tying a Copper John, complete with detailed instructions and tips.
Materials and Equipment
Before we start tying the fly, let's gather all the materials and tools you'll need:
- **Hook**: You'll want to use a hook with a copper or bronze bead. The pattern typically calls for a size 14 hook, but you can adjust the size based on your preferences.
- **Thread**: For this pattern, we recommend using UTC 70 thread in a bronze-brown color.
- **Tail Material**: The tail of the Copper John is made of biots. You'll need two biots from your kit.
- **Wire**: Copper wire is essential for wrapping the body of the fly.
- **Flash Material**: Crystal Flash will provide some flashy highlights to attract fish.
- **Nymph Back Material**: You can use Scud Back material, modified for this pattern.
- **Peaco*ck Herl**: Two pieces of peaco*ck herl will help create the thorax of the fly.
- **Legs**: Feathers from your kit will serve as the legs of the Copper John.
- **Hackle Pliers**: These will be handy for handling the feather fibers.
Tying the Copper John
Now that we have everything ready, let's dive into the step-by-step process of tying the Copper John.
Step 1: Preparing the Tail
1. Start by attaching your size 4 hook to the vise.
2. Use UTC 70 thread in a bronze-brown color.
3. Begin wrapping the thread just behind the eye of the hook, and trim any excess.
4. Move the thread back on top of the hook bend, stopping just short of the other side.
Step 2: Tying in the Tail
1. Take two biots from your kit and ensure their points are facing upward.
2. Trim the butt ends of the biots to prevent tangling.
3. Arrange the biots to curve away from each other for a natural appearance.
4. Pinch the biots together and place them on top of the hook, measuring them to be about 3/4 of the hook shank.
5. Secure the biots in place with a few wraps of thread. Be gentle to avoid disrupting their position.
Step 3: Building the Body
1. Wrap your thread forward, leaving space behind the bead for the thorax.
2. Now, take some of the biot material and wrap it up the hook shank. This will create an even underbody for the fly.
3. Continue wrapping until you have a space of about one bead length behind the bead.
4. Trim any excess biot material.
Step 4: Wrapping the Copper Wire
1. Take the copper wire from your kit and secure it right behind the bead on the near side of the fly.
2. Wrap a couple of thread turns to secure the wire and then wrap it back toward the tail.
3. Be careful not to overwrap too far, as it might disturb the biots.
4. Ensure the wire reaches the edge of the hook bend.
Step 5: Creating the Thorax
1. Leave the space you've cleared behind the bead to create the thorax.
2. Start by tying in two pieces of Crystal Flash right behind the bead.
3. Next, use the modified nymph back material to create the flashback. Tie it in right behind the bead as well.
Step 6: Adding the Peaco*ck Herl
1. Select two pieces of peaco*ck herl and align their tips.
2. Tie in the herl right behind the bead and position it so that it forms the bulky thorax.
3. Palmer the peaco*ck herl forward, wrapping it carefully to create bulk without overdoing it.
4. Secure the herl near the bead with a few wraps of thread.
Step 7: Attaching the Legs
1. Prepare your feather fibers for the legs by pulling a few down from the tip.
2. Tie in these fibers on either side of the fly. Use hackle pliers to grab the very tip of the feather, expose it, and then trim it.
3. Position the legs to extend about two-thirds of the way down the body.
4. Secure the legs with a couple of wraps of thread.
5. Trim the excess feather material.
Step 8: Finalizing the Fly
1. Pull the nymph back material forward, which will cause the legs to splay back and down the body.
2. Secure the material behind the bead with thread wraps.
3. Trim any excess material.
4. Add a touch of UV resin to create a glossy, durable finish on the thorax.
5. Cure the resin using a UV curing light.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've successfully tied a Copper John fly—a timeless pattern that can be highly effective on the water. Feel free to experiment with different colors and sizes to match the hatch or the preferences of the trout you're targeting. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep honing your fly tying skills, and soon you'll be creating beautiful flies that entice even the wariest of fish. Happy fishing!
