Banksia Bug (Step by Step)

Step 1 Put appropriate sized black tungsten bead on TMC 200R hook (size 7/64 bead on #14 hook). To tie the Basalt version use a TMC 2499SP-BL hook.

Step 2 Using Lt. Cahill 6/0 Uni-Thread tie in both X-Small black UTC Ultra Wire and Small olive UTC Ultra Wire. Apply small amount of head cement to the wires to “marry” them together.

Step 3  Build a fat butt of the abdomen with the Lt. Cahill thread, then tie off and trim.

 Step 4 Switch to olive Lagartun or UTC thread and continue building up the tapered abdomen, leaving a small amount of the light yellow butt exposed.

 Step 5 Wrap the duel wires forward and tie off behind the black bead and trim both thread and wire.

 Step 6 Coat entire abdomen with a liberal amount of Loon UV Knot Sense and set using UV light. This will immediately set up hard, but may have a slightly matt finish, so coat with thin layer of Hard-as-Hull head cement.

Step 7 Tie on legs using 3 or 4 fibers of Gadwall flank feather on either side.

 Step 8 Tie in some exceptionally bushy, dark grey ostrich herl and wrap forward.

 Step 9 Create small dubbing rope using Dave Whitlock SLF Hellgrammite.

Step 10 Wrap dubbing rope up to the black bead and whip finish. Apply small amount of head cement over knot.



Watch Tying Video!