Indigo Guide Service

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Steelhead Tube Streamer… Fred's Ugly Bug (Tube Version)

This trout and steelhead streamer is one of Fred Davidson's favorite, Fred is a local Pere Marquette fly fishing guru.  Fred ties his on a long shank streamer hook like the TMC 300.  Indigo guide Steve Martinez converted Fred's fly to a tube version using an aluminum rivet.

The aluminum rivet has a bit of weight and a flat head that really makes the materials pulse.  Steve watched Aaron McDaniel use rivets at a Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers meeting and has used the idea since.

Best For… steelhead and trout          Could Also Be Used For…  salmon, pike and bass

***Materials listed in tying order

Tube… aluminum rivet (pin removed) glued over plastic tube (ends mushroomed) *SEE NOTE
Tail… marabou
Body… estaz
Legs… rubber legs
Under Wing… tinsel
Over Wing… small zonker strip
Inner Collar… crystal polar chenille
Outer Collar… cross cut rabbit

Note – Glue and insert a plastic tube that will fit inside the rivet, a Q-Tip shaft often works perfect.  Trim to length and mushroom near a flame.

References:  Third Coast Fly, Pere Marquette Fishing Report -Dec 21st