Steelhead Copper John Tutorial

John Barr's Copper John is a modern classic. Easily one of the most popular mayfly nymph imitations for trout, this version is "beefed-up" for targeting steelhead.

 

MATERIALS

• Hook: TMC 5262 #10
• Thread: Veevus 6/0 (black)
• Bead: 5/32 Cyclops brass bead (black)
• Weight: .020 Lead-Free wire
• Tails: Goose Biots (black)
• Wire: UTC Medium Ultra Wire (blue)
• Flash: UTC Opal Tinsel (medium)
• Wingcase: Thin Skin (black or brown)
• Thorax: Peacock Herl
• Legs: Silicone Legs or Sexi Floss (small)
• Epoxy: Loon UV (thin)

TYING NOTES

Although, we're following John's recipe from his book "Out of The Box" tyers may consider an even stronger hook than the 5262 Barr likes. If you're chasing fish like we have here in Northern Michigan, you may want to try a TMC 3761, or even Daiichi 1530. Play with your colors, I like to have this fly in blue, black, chartreuse, and red for different water conditions.