Sowbug

A small freshwater crustacean profile with a soft body, bright head and narrow flashback.

The source index groups a plain Sowbug, Woven Sowbug and UV Flashback Sowbug. This simple Ray Charles-style dressing gives a transparent base recipe for the same prey type while noting those construction variants.

At the vise: Beginner friendly
Common sizes: #14–18

Flies for Trout

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From hook to fly

At the vise.

5 steps

Work through the numbered steps in order, using the materials list and written proportions as your guide.

Start the thread
Clamp the hook and run fluorescent orange thread from behind the eye to the start of the bend.
Set the flashback
Bind one narrow Flashabou strand along the top of the shank with a free working length extending past the bend.
Wrap the soft body
Tie in an ostrich herl strand at the rear and wind it forward in close turns, taking care not to crush the long fibers.
Pull over the back
Draw Flashabou straight over the top of the herl body and secure it behind the eye with two firm turns.
Form the bright head
Trim the excess, form a compact orange thread head, whip finish and apply a touch of cement.