Olive Stickleback

Created by Jeff Morgan

HOOK: Dai Riki 700, size 6-8 or equivalent THREAD: Olive TAIL: Light olive Maribou TAPER: Olive Antron or sparkle dubbing RIBBING: Pearl Flashabou BODY: Olive Antron or sparkle dubbing BELLY: Red Polar Dub OVERBODY: Gray Antron FLASH: Pearl Mini-Flash BACK: Black Antron, sparse SPINES: Three goose biots EYES: 3-D molded eyes

Uses

Imitates the three-spine stickleback, a comman forage fish for trout. For more information, see the article Sticklebacks

Variations

The spines are optional

How to Fish

Use short fluttering strips interspersed with five to ten second pauses.

Sticklebacks rarely venture into water deeper than four or five feet, so present your pattern in shallow areas.

Tying Instructions

1. Debarb hook, place in vice, start thread.

 
2. Tie in marabou tail.

 
3. Tie in Pearl Flashabou for ribbing

 
4. Dub rear of body to the middle of the hook.

 
5. Counterwrap with Flashabou ribbing.

 
6. Tie in goose biot, dub over tie-in point. Repeat for other two spines.

 
7. Tie in clump of red dubbing for belly

 
8. Tie in Antron on flanks of body.

 
9. Tie in pearl Mini-Flash.

 
10. Tie in sparse black Antron for back.

 
11. Build a head, whipfinish, and affix eyes.

 
12. Apply Softex or 5-minute epoxy to head. Repeat two times after the head dries.