Spruce-a-bou – spruce up with marabou

Spruce-a-bou, Golden

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Tying Instructions

1. 1. Start the thread at the midpoint of the hook. Attach the red ultra chenille and gold oval ribbing at the bend of the hook.

2. Wrap the chenille forward to the midpoint of the shank and trim, wrap the ribbing forward with counter-spiral wraps and trim.

3. Tie in the marabou underwing. Attach a clump below the hook shank and one above. The tips of the marabou should extend just beyond the bend of the hook.

4. Attach 4-7 strands of Krystal Flash and 4-7 strands of Peacock Herl in front of the body as an overwing , above the hook shank, that extends just beyond the marabou underwing.

5. Select two Golden badger hackles and tie in forward of the body at each side of the shank. The tips of hackles should cross at rear of fly. The hackles extend about 1/3 length of hook past the bend.

6. Attach a hackle by the tip and wrap 4-6 times leaving at enough room for the gill band and head.

7. Attach a Red Thread about midway between the hackle and the hook eye. Wrap 4-6 times for a gill band. Finish the head and whip finish.

Materials to Order Material, click the link
Hook	TMC 3761, #8-10
Thread	Danville Red 6/0
Head	Danville Red 6/0
Ribbing	Small Oval Gold Tinsel
Body	Red Ultra chenille, small or medium
Underwing	Golden Olive Marabou
Wing	Peacock Herl with Green and Blue Krystal Flash
Sides	Golden Badger Hackle
Hackle	Silver Badger Hackle

Tom Loe

Spruce-a-bou

Developed by fly fishing guide Tom Loe at Crowley Lake, CA. He was the founder of Sierra Drifters Guide Service and now resides in LaPine, Oregon. The Spruce-a-bou was designed to imitate baitfish that inhabit the Eastern Sierra, particularly sculpin and squawfish. Tom suggests using a moderate to full sink tip or a full sinking line within most of the Eastern Sierran streams with this fly. The fly is pulled along the bottom with erratic strips using adownstream sweep. Mend the line upstream to allow the fly to sink. Pull the fly upstream with 4-6″ tugs along the bank or seam.

The flies are available at many fly shops such as: Crowley Lake Fish Camp, The Troutfitter, The Trout Fly, San Diego Fly Shop and Strouds Tackle. The colors that Sierra Drifters have recommended are Ginger and Golden Olive.

Variations

Spruce-a-bou, Ginger

Hook	TMC 3761, #8-10
Thread	Danville Red 6/0
Head	Danville Red 6/0
Ribbing	Small Oval Gold Tinsel
Body	Red Ultra chenille, small or medium
Underwing	Ginger Marabou
Wing	Peacock Herl with Green and Blue Krystal Flash
Sides	Silver Badger hackle
Hackle	Silver Badger Hackle