Lightning Bug
The Lightning Bug is a flashy, attractor-style nymph designed to catch trout when subtlety isn't working. Its Flashabou or mylar wing case creates a burst of light that triggers strikes from reluctant fish. Simple to tie and extraordinarily effective, it's a staple on tailwaters across the Rocky Mountain West. Fish it as the dropper on a nymph rig or as the primary fly in clear pools where fish need an extra visual trigger.
- Type
- nymph (Mayfly)
- Hook sizes
- #14–20
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall, winter
Materials
- hook: Nymph hook #14–20
- thread: Silver or gray 8/0
- bead: Silver tungsten bead
- tail: Pheasant tail or copper Coq de Leon fibers
- body: Fine silver wire, smooth
- wingcase: Pearl Flashabou or Mirage Tinsel
Tying steps
- Mount a size 14–20 hook; slide on a silver tungsten bead.
- Start silver thread at the bend; tie in pheasant tail or wire tail fibers.
- Wind fine silver wire body from bend to 2/3 mark, building a smooth taper.
- Tie in a strip of Flashabou or pearl mylar as the wing case.
- Dub a small peacock herl or bright green thorax.
- Fold the Flashabou over the thorax as a wing case and tie down firmly.
- Build a collar of thread against the bead; whip finish and cement.
- Apply UV resin over the body and cure, building a high-gloss finish over the tinsel body.