Gamebird – a versatile jig pattern

Gamebird

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Tying Instructions

 

 

Tying Instructions: Gamebird, Tan

 

 

1. We are using TMC 403 BLJ #8 with a 60 degree bend at the eye that will accommodate a slotted or slotted faceted tungsten bead nicely. Slip a tungsten slotted bead onto the hook and place the hook in the vise. 

 

2. Secure the thread behind the bead and build a thread dam to secure the bead in place.

 

3. Apply a drop of Super Glue onto the threads.

 

4. Wrap the thread back to the bend of the hook with touching wraps.

 

5. Clip a section of Black Marabou fibers, keeping the tips aligned.  Measure the section of marabou so that it is about 2 times the shank length of the hook.

 

6. Place this section at the bend of the hook on the top of the shank and secure with a couple of tight thread wraps. Lift up the tag end of the fibers and clip them at an angle. Secure the tag ends with additional thread wraps.

 

7. Repeat Step 6 and 7 with a section of Brown Marabou.

 

8. Secure the second section with tight thread wraps. Trim off the tag ends and secure with thread wraps.

 

9. Now, add the third section of Cream Marabou to the top of the previous two sections and secure with tight thread wraps. The pattern will invert due to the bead so that the Cream Marabou will look like the lighter portion of the baitfish body.

 

10. Trim off the tag end of the third section.

 

11. Wrap all of the tag ends once more with thread wraps and bring the thread directly in front of these tags.

 

12. Take a piece of Flashabou and secure the flash just in front of the tag ends.

 

13. Secure each end of the flash along the center of the shank wrapping to the bade of the tail.  Trim the flash so that it is just a bit longer than the tail.

 

14. Create a dubbing loop at the base of the tail. Remember to take the thread around both strands of the loop to create a tight V. Bring the thread to behind the bead.

 

15. Attach your dubbing loop tool to the loop and fill the V with loose dubbing. I am using Laser Hair dubbing. Tighten the loop by pulling on the tool.

 

16. Spin the dubbing loop tool to create a brush. You can use a dubbing tool with a velcro end to pull out some of the fibers.

 

17. Wrap the dubbing brush with touching wraps forward, stroking the fibers back with each turn.  Finish just behind the bead but don’t crown this area as you need to add some more materials.

 

18. Place a few tight thread wraps behind the bead to secure the brush. Stroke the fibers forward and then back towards the tail with the dubbing brush that has a velcro piece attached to it.

 

19. Attach a red throat behind the bead. I am using Red Arctic Fox Body hair. Trim off the tag end and  trim the throat so that it doesn’t exceed the mid point of the shank.

 

20. Now for the gamebird feather. I am using a back feather from a ruffed grouse. The fibers are long enough and the stem is supple enough to create a nice soft hackle collar. Remover the fluff from the bottom of the feather and preen back the fibers to expose a tip that you can secure behind the bead.

 

21. Place the tip just behind the bead and secure with some tight thread wraps. The natural curve of the fibers should flow back towards the tail.

 

22. Wrap the feather around the shank preening the fibers back so that the next couple of wraps do not catch the fibers of the previous turn. 

 

23. Work these wraps forward. You usually can get about three turns until you reach the bard quill, then secure the quill against the hook shank with some tight thread wraps.

 

24. A red thread collar is applied just behind the bead and finish with the whip finish.

 

25. Apply some head cement to the thread collar. The finished Gamebird. It’s a weighted jig hook so the fly will naturally invert itself and allow for some bouncing on the bottom.

 

 

 

 

Materials to Order Material, click the link
Hook	TMC 403 BLJ #8-10
Thread	Danville 6/0 Red
Head	3/16 Slotted Gold
Throat	Arctic Fox Hair, Red
Collar	Ruffed Grouse, Back Feather
Body	Laser Hair Dubbing, Cream
Tail	Marabou, Black, Grizzly Marabou, Brown and Marabou, Cream
Hot Spot	Danville 6/0, Red
Flash	Speckled Flashabou, Gold

Gamebird

The Gamebird by Garrison Doctor is a versatile, sinking jig-style streamer, designed with an oversized tungsten bead, mottled game bird feather collar, and marabou tail to imitate small baitfish or nymphs. It features a hook-up design to avoid snags, utilizing a three-color marabou tail (black, brown, cream), an ice dub tan body, and a red thread hot spot.

“While I developed this fly fishing for trout in the mountain west, it has proven to be an excellent fly from Iceland to Chile and for many species beyond trout. The Gamebird is designed with an oversized tungsten bead to get down through current fast and into the zone where fish feed most of the time. The mottled, natural pattern and texture of the game bird feather that gives the fly its name emulates the markings of many small baitfish and parr marks. The marabou tail gives the fly great movement with minimal bulk. Tied on a sturdy jig hook, the GameBird constantly stays hook point up to avoid snags and maximize hook up rates.”

• Signature Tyer Garrison Doctor

 Variations