How to Tie a Wooly Bugger | Thin Mint Variation

The Wooly Bugger is arguably one of the best and most well-known fly patterns. Its overall look suggests a variety of potential fish food including leeches, minnows, damselfly nymphs, dragon nymphs, and crayfish.
It is a pattern that is equally at home in both my stillwater fly box and my river and stream fly boxes too. There are countless variations of the original Wooly Bugger. The Thin Mint is one of the most popular. My variation differs from most Thin Mints through the use of barred marabou in the tail. It is a pattern that is always in my stillwater fly box and has saved the day on more than one occasion.
Thin Mint Variation
Hook: Daiichi 1760 #6-#10
Thread: 8/0 or 70 Denier, Olive
Tail: MFC Barred Marabou, Brown/Olive over Olive/Black
Rib: Ultra Wire, Small, Copper, Gold, or Silver
Body: Peacock Herl
Hackle: Saddle, Brown
Bead: Tungsten, 1/8" (3.2 MM) Black Nickel
Material Sources
Daiichi 1760 #6-#10: www.canadianll...
8/0 or 70 Denier, Olive: www.chinookwin...
MFC Barred Marabou, Brown/Olive over Olive/Black: bit.ly/3uDVUUf
Ultra Wire, Small, Copper, Gold, or Silver: bit.ly/3GxgkRa
Peacock Herl: bit.ly/366e6Md
Saddle, Brown: bit.ly/3sqptWx
Tungsten, 1/8" (3.2 MM) Black Nickel: www.canadianll...
Check out My Leech and Streamer Playlists
Leeches: • Leeches & Streamers
Streamers: • Playlist
Watch my TNFF Saskatchewan Stillwaters Episode: • Stillwater Fall Trout
Keeping in Touch
Website: flycraftangling...
Join My Mailing List: bit.ly/2qmU2QL
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Twitter: / flycraftphil

[@michaelsiedl5971]

Phil this is what me and me uncle fish just simple wooly buggers! Great pattern phil I'll never stop learning😃

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Thanks Michael,
Wooly Buggers are definitely a "don't leave home without them" pattern.
Cheers, Phil

[@garyhenneberry72]

fishies rea good with a grizzley hackle, looks like a light turning on and off.

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Thanks Gary,
A great suggestion. I will have to tie a few up using grizzly hackle.
Cheers, Phil

[@kevinjtoner]

Very nice video Phil…….Thank you!!! 👍🎣

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Hi Kevin. Glad you enjoyed it!
Cheers, Phil

[@edboutdoors3632]

Very great video yet again phil beutie bugger!! Gotta say spring time is almost here were gonna need some of your favorite spring time flys!!😀😀

[@AkFlyFishersmembers]

Thank you, Phil. Do you think this pattern is easy enough to teach to beginners?

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Hi Jolynne, thanks for taking the time to comment. This is a pretty straightforward pattern that a beginner should be able to handle. You might only want to use a single color of marabou in the tail and perhaps replace the peacock herl with standard Rayon chenille to make this more of a regular Wooly Bugger depending on the skill level of your students.
Cheers, Phil

[@cgcalhoun1936]

Phil, do you ever add any lead/lead free wire for additional weight?

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Hi CG, you certainly could but the fly goes down pretty good with the tungsten bead on it plus I prefer, if possible, to use different sink rate lines to get the fly down.
Cheers, Phil

[@cgcalhoun1936]

@@PhilRowleyFlyFishing thanks. I usually use different colored brass beads instead of tungsten (cheapskate), but will use different sized lead wire for extra weight, but I’m fishing rivers not still water. I like your thin mint pattern.

[@stuartforsyth4279]

Hi Phil, would you vary the colour of the bead for any particular conditions?

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Hi Stuart, you could absolutely vary the bead colours including fluorescent beads for overcast days or when prospecting deep, dark, water.
Cheers, Phil

[@stuartforsyth4279]

@@PhilRowleyFlyFishing Thanks Phil, I have fished in BC and find lots of patterns are equally effective here in Scotland.

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

@@stuartforsyth4279 Anytime Stuart, ironic as I use a lot of your patterns over here too with great results.
Cheers, Phil