Black Widow

[Chuck Morris]

Black Widow
Originator: Harrison Steeves
Note: One of my entries in the NGTO 2006 Bream Bugs Swap
Hook: Dry fly 10-12
Thread: Black UTC 70 Der
Tag(Butt): 5/32 inch dia. disc 2mm red craft foam
Underbody: Black Ice chenille or Peacock herl or peacock dubbing
Body: 3/8 inch dia. disc 2mm black craft foam
Underhead Wrap: Peacock herl or peacock dubbing
Head: 1/4 inch dia. disc 2mm black craft foam
Legs: Small round black rubber

Tying Instructions:
1. Attach thread to hook shank and wrap to hook bend. Wrap the thread forward a short distance and tie in the front of the tag (butt) disc so that the disc extends rearward to a point even with the bend of the hook. A dab of head cement or superglue applied here will help keep the foam from rotating.
2. Tie in underbody material just in front of the tag and wrap thread forward about 2/3's hook shank length.
3. Wrap chenille (underbody) forward to this point, tie off and trim excess.
4. Tie in the front of the body disc so that the disc extends rearward over the tag.
5. Apply superglue to the top of the underbody and the top of the tag. Press the body disc down so that it bonds to the top of the underbody and the tag.
6. Tie in 2 or 3 strands of peacock herl, make a herl rope, and wrap the thread forward to the eye.
7. Apply head cement to the thread and quickly wrap the herl forward to the eye. Tie down and trim excess. Wrap the thread back through the herl and forward to the midpoint between the body and the eye.
8. Tie in the head disc so that 2/3's of the disc projects rearward and 1/3 projects forward to a point just over the eye.
9. Apply superglue to the underside of the head and press it down on the body disc. Use a needle to get a very small amount of glue on the foam.
10. Tie in 2 unseparated strands of round rubber leg material, one on either side of the head disc.
11. Once the legs are tied in, whip finish and cut thread. Cut legs to length then separate them to give four legs on each side. Apply a small amount of head cement to the underside of the thread wraps.
NOTE: I have tied this pattern using different colors of body / head discs / underbody / legs, but usually keeping the red tag. I call an all white one the "White Widow". Experiment with different color combos, yellow is another excellent color for bream.
Chuck