Olive Hop Cone Woolly Bugger

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This pattern is a large, articulated streamer designed to mimic both the forage fish and the botanical elements of the Madison River. It features a unique articulated shank with a front section wrapped in variegated olive and gold chenille, ribbed with gold wire. The defining feature is the addition of a real, dried hop cone at the head, positioned just behind a dense collar of olive and gold hackle. The tail is a blend of olive and gold bucktail, accented with gold Krystal Flash.

Hook

Size 4-2 Streamer Hook (e.g., Daiichi 2220)

Articulated Shank

20mm fish-skull articulated shank

Thread

Olive 6/0 or 140 Denier

Tail

Olive Bucktail, layered with Gold Krystal Flash

Body

Variegated Olive and Gold Chenille, ribbed with Medium Gold Wire

Hackle

Olive Schlappen, collared

Collar

Gold Pheasant Rump or similar mottled gold hackle

Head

A single, small, dried Hop Cone, attached securely behind the eye

Eyes

Small Olive and Gold 3D eyes (optional, placed on the hop cone or shank)

Connection

Beadalon or similar wire for articulation

Articulated Section

Create a small articulated loop using wire and a bead, attach it to the rear of the hook, and build a small tail section with olive bucktail and gold flash.

Main Body

Tie in the variegated chenille and gold wire. Wrap the chenille up the hook shank, forming a tapered body. Rib the body with the gold wire and secure it.

Hackle Collars

Palmer the olive schlappen hackle around the front of the body. Follow with a denser collar of gold pheasant rump hackle.

Hop Head

Select a small, intact dried hop cone. Carefully bore a small hole through the center of the cone (or use a needle to create a path). Thread the cone onto the hook eye or shank and push it back against the hackle collar. Secure the cone firmly with thread wraps and a drop of superglue.

Eyes (Optional)

Glue small 3D eyes onto the sides of the hop cone or the shank immediately behind it.

Whip Finish

Perform a secure whip finish behind the hop cone.

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[IMAGE]This custom streamer pattern, inspired by the can's branding and colors, features a natural hop cone head, olive and gold marabou and tinsel tail, and a gold-ribbed body. It's perfectly suited for a "Hatch Master."

Details

Imitates

Baitfish

Targets

Trout, Bass

Hook size

4-8

Colors

Olive, Gold, Brown