BB Bug

The BB Bug started out life as I played with variations on the lead bug theme. Little did I know at the time I would find a cracking fly for river as well as stalking lake margins.

Tie this simple fly by making wraps of lead wire along the hook shank to create a segmented body, securing with a fine smear of super glue. Apply 2 or 3 coats of Cellfire Varnish No.11 (yellow) allowing drying time between coats. Once complete take a black pantone marker, colouring a small area around the hook eye to form a head. Job done!

I experimented with colours and had great success using it as a stalking bug on lakes and rivers for deep lying grayling and trout feeding on caseless caddis.

This year saw a further evolution. I wanted to make the fly more robust and add further lifelike lustre to it’s appearance. Enter the latest wonder material in fly tying, BUG BOND! Apply a small quantity of this UV curing resin to the previously finished fly, rotate to help level the coating and hit it with a short blast of the UV light, the original fly is transformed.

The fly is rock hard and it’s life span increased massively (unless cast up a tree). Appearance is improved, the segmentation suble, though apparent and with a beautiful insect sheen. Result!

So impressed am I with the end product I renamed the fly after the wonder product that transformed it. It’s now known as the BB Bug.

For further product information and ideas on how this product can help you improve your flies, check out the Bug Bond website.

Has this tinkering improved the fly’s appeal to fish? Undoubtedly! Sealing the surface of the bug means it sinks faster. When river fishing, this means getting your flies to the river bed using less weight. A huge plus for grayling fishing in particular. Equally when stalking big trout, a lighter fly that still sinks quickly is easier to cast accurately with better presentation. Net result, more fish fooled!

Have Fun!

Steve Y