Instructions: Tailwater Sowbug

Tying Instructions: Tailwater Sowbug



	1. I am using a TMC 3769 , size 14 hook. Mash down the barb with the vise and attach the hook. Wrap about 6-7 times with 0.015" leadfree wire near the center of the hook shank.
	2. Attach the thread to the hook shank and secure the leadfree wire wraps with thread wraps, then wrap the thread to the bend of the hook for the tail tie-in.
	3. Tailing is optional on this pattern. However, Lance Egan prefers to use a small stubby tail on this patter with Coq de Leon Tailing fibers. I am using the Dark Pardo.
	4. Clip off 7-8 tailing fibers and tie in the tips at the bend of the hook to the top of the shank. The length of the tails should be no more than half the hook shank length. Trim off the tag end of the tailing fibers.
	5. Secure a small Silver wire to the bottom of the hook shank behind the wire wraps. Secure to the bend of the hook.
	6. Hareline makes both a Dark Shade and Light Shade of Rainbow Scud Dubbing. I am using the Light Shade. The material has long fibers so you may want to cut the material into smaller lengths prior to dubbing the thread.
	7. Wrap the dubbing around the thread. The fibers will interlock with a twist of your index finger and thumb. Some will use a dubbing loop but I find that the red thread shows too much using this technique.
	8. Lock in the dubbing fibers with the first two wraps, then twist the dubbing material around the thread creating a dubbing rope. This will really help hide the thread coloration.
	9. Build up a thick heavy body that is tapered.
	10. Wrap the silver wire 4-5 times with spirol wraps to the eye of the hook.
	11. Build a small head with the red thread and whip finish. Trim off the thread.
	12. Take a dubbing brush or velcro strip and groom the fibers out in a plane perpendicular to the hook shank. Work both the top and bottom of the sowbug dubbing to tease out the fibers.
	13. Mark the top spline of the pattern with a Sepia colored marker.
	14. The marker will give the appearance of a shellback. Trim the dubbing fibers in an semi-oval around the length of the shank. If you have any errant fibers on the top or bottom, trim these away. The a pattern should be somewhat disc shaped.
	15. The finished Tailwater Sowbug.