Glad to see that you like the Bluegill Its-- Bug that I did the article in Fly Tyer back in 2001. I've fished this fly for 40+ years and have never failed to catch fish on it. Nice job on the tying tutorial too! This is THE BEST BLUEGILL FLY I EVER CAME UP WITH! Gary R, Yaden
Mr. Yaden, thank you for the comment (and the compliment). The day I saw this fly in your article I tied some up. It is such a simple fly with so much life. I have been fishing it ever since and always have some on hand for warm or coldwater outings. I even taught the Smallmouth version of the It's-A-Bug in my beginning fly tying classes for over ten years. Being in the middle of warmwater fly fishing country, most of the people learning to tie flies were/are more interested in panfish and Bass patterns than they are trout. The It's-A-Bug is a great introduction to using closed cell foam in fly tying/fishing that it just fit with my beginning fly tying class. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful fly. I hope it is around for many many years to come! - Ian Anderson
One of my favorites. Anytime I am on the water I carry a few. Mostly warmwater where I fish and there are always panfish on the prowl and It's-A-Bug always catches them. - Ian Anderson
I always have a few It's-A-Bug flies when out fishing, even for trout. I had the same idea years ago about the tail but opted for rubber legs instead. Check out the Smallmouth version of the It's-A-Bug fly ( ua-cam.com/video/pdse7H9bkxo/v-deo.html ). - Ian Anderson
Thank you for the compliment! It is an easy fly to tie. Don't get too hung up and making it look just perfect. The fish will still love it! - Ian Anderson
I get a lot of questions about where the name It's-A-Bug came from for this fly. My son and I had been fishing this as of then "unnamed" fly in my sister's and brother-in-law's strip pit lake formed when coal was taken out of their property. I changed the color of the fly I was using to another one and stuck the first fly in the plastic mesh of the cap I was wearing. When we got finished and wereleaving to come home, we stopped at their house. After a couple of minutes my sister saw the fly stuck in the mesh of my cap, said "You have a bug on your hat!" and grabbed a fly swatter and started hitting at it. My son, who was about 8-years old at the time, started yelling "No, Aunt Brenda, it's a bug for fishing!" and thus the "unnamed fly" got the name the "Bluegill It's-A- Bug"!
I have also told a lot of fishermen who like this fly that if you are fishing for Bluegills with the Bluegill It's-A-Bug and are not catching any fish, then there are no fish where you are fishing!
Thanks for sharing that story. I love hearing how flies acquire their names. It often comes down to a offhand comment some one made or odd circumstance. Any other productive flies you like to share? - Ian Anderson
Tied in the way it is in the video helps the legs look more natural on the fly and it help to make them more durable. That said, try a new way, you might find a better way to tie the fly. There is always room for improvement. - Ian Anderson
Glad to see that you like the Bluegill Its-- Bug that I did the article in Fly Tyer back in 2001. I've fished this fly for 40+ years and have never failed to catch fish on it. Nice job on the tying tutorial too! This is THE BEST BLUEGILL FLY I EVER CAME UP WITH! Gary R, Yaden
Mr. Yaden, thank you for the comment (and the compliment). The day I saw this fly in your article I tied some up. It is such a simple fly with so much life. I have been fishing it ever since and always have some on hand for warm or coldwater outings. I even taught the Smallmouth version of the It's-A-Bug in my beginning fly tying classes for over ten years. Being in the middle of warmwater fly fishing country, most of the people learning to tie flies were/are more interested in panfish and Bass patterns than they are trout. The It's-A-Bug is a great introduction to using closed cell foam in fly tying/fishing that it just fit with my beginning fly tying class. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful fly. I hope it is around for many many years to come! - Ian Anderson
Nice little spider, man it's quite possibly the best in the box. 🎣🤠. Thanks for the tye . Dave Hughes
One of my favorites. Anytime I am on the water I carry a few. Mostly warmwater where I fish and there are always panfish on the prowl and It's-A-Bug always catches them. - Ian Anderson
One of my go-to flies for bass and bluegill. I sometimes throw on a marabou tail for a little extra for the bass.
I always have a few It's-A-Bug flies when out fishing, even for trout. I had the same idea years ago about the tail but opted for rubber legs instead. Check out the Smallmouth version of the It's-A-Bug fly ( ua-cam.com/video/pdse7H9bkxo/v-deo.html ). - Ian Anderson
Sick looking fly. I think I love foam
Quick and fun to tie and it definitely catches fish. Glad you like the video. - Ian Anderson
What a cool fly! I hope I can tie it one day!
Thank you for the compliment! It is an easy fly to tie. Don't get too hung up and making it look just perfect. The fish will still love it! - Ian Anderson
Nice fly pattern thanks mark
Thank you, glad you like the fly and video. - Ian Anderson
Like the little bug hanging out on the camera lens
😅 Occasionally, they get in the way. - Ian Anderson
I’m assuming not of the Jetho Tull fame?😎
@@edcastile Correct
@@DressedIrons although he has a salmon farm in a loc in Scotland
@@edcastile I have heard that he has a trout farm as well. - Ian
I tied 15 of these today. I did five in brown that looks like our June bugs
Wonderful, I never thought of Brown. Hope they do well for you. Thanks for sharing - Ian Anderson
I get a lot of questions about where the name It's-A-Bug came from for this fly.
My son and I had been fishing this as of then "unnamed" fly in my sister's and brother-in-law's strip pit lake formed when coal was taken out of their property. I changed the color of the fly I was using to another one and stuck the first fly in the plastic mesh of the cap I was wearing. When we got finished and wereleaving to come home, we stopped at their house. After a couple of minutes my sister saw the fly stuck in the mesh of my cap, said "You have a bug on your hat!" and grabbed a fly swatter and started hitting at it. My son, who was about 8-years old at the time, started yelling "No, Aunt Brenda, it's a bug for fishing!" and thus the "unnamed fly" got the name the "Bluegill It's-A- Bug"!
I have also told a lot of fishermen who like this fly that if you are fishing for Bluegills with the Bluegill It's-A-Bug and are not catching any fish, then there are no fish where you are fishing!
Thanks for sharing that story. I love hearing how flies acquire their names. It often comes down to a offhand comment some one made or odd circumstance. Any other productive flies you like to share? - Ian Anderson
Why not add the legs after?
Tied in the way it is in the video helps the legs look more natural on the fly and it help to make them more durable. That said, try a new way, you might find a better way to tie the fly. There is always room for improvement. - Ian Anderson