Fly and Fin: Sawyer's Killer Bug

Showing posts with label Sawyer's Killer Bug. Show all posts

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Killer Rock Worm with Lou DiGena

Hook:       Mustad S80-3906 (https://amzn.to/3qlSsIY)
Size:       10 - 16
Thread:    UTC Ultra Wire, Black in size Brassie (https://amzn.to/37gXKhj)
Body:        Green Yarn (https://amzn.to/2LOSw4Q)
Head:       UTC Ultra Wire, Black (https://amzn.to/37gXKhj)

The "Killer Rock Worm" a variation of Frank Sawyer's "Killer Bug." Using black wire and green yarn.   Change yarn and wire color to mimic the caddis larva in your waters.

The Killer Bug is famous in the U.K. and Europe and recently has this pattern gained a following in the U.S. This fly is renowned for its catching fish and the mythological properties of Chadwick's 477 wool used in its construction.

Frank Sawyer was a river keeper on the River Avon at Lake in Wiltshire in the U.K., along with being a writer and inventor of such flies as the Pheasant Tail Nymph.

The killer bug was developed by Mr. Sawyer to manage the grayling numbers on the River Avon. Then Grayling considered a coarse fish and undesirable as a food or game fish.

If you're looking for an available substitute, Semperfli Chadwicks 477 Substitute (https://amzn.to/3de9ll5) is an excellent choice.

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#loudigena #flytying #flyfishing

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Sawyer’s Killer Bug

Hook: TMC 2302 or Mustad S80-3906 in #14-18
(Tied here with a 3906)

Thread: Copper wire in size Brassie or Small
(Size 16-18 tie better using small wire)

Body: Chadwick’s 477 wool substitute

The Sawyer’s Killer Bug is famous in the U.K. and Europe but only recently has this pattern gained a following in the U.S. This fly is famous for its catching fish and mythological properties of Chadwick’s 477 yarn used in its construction.

I became aware of the Killer Bug through English fly tier and author Oliver Edwards who featured Sawyer’s patterns in his DVD Essential Skills: Search and Sight Fishing released in 2001.

Frank Sawyer was a river keeper on the River Avon at Lake in Wiltshire in the U.K. along with being a writer, and inventor of such flies as the Pheasant Tail Nymph.

Sawyer’s pattern is simple and effective, using in many cases only two materials. In the Killer Bug and Pheasant Tail nymph, he used copper wire the thread and weight. Both patterns are brilliant in their simplicity and effectiveness.

The killer bug was developed by Sawyer’s to manage the grayling numbers on the River Avon. Back then Grayling were considered vermin, and gentleman would only angle for trout, never grayling.

In alkaline chalk stream, one of the main food sources is freshwater shrimp and the Killer Bug was designed to imitate shrimp and scuds. Today in the U.S. it’s an effective imitation for larva (crane and caddis), scuds, cress bugs and shrimp.

The originally the Killer Bug was tied Chadwick's 477 darning wool and reddish brown copper wire. For some, the original Chadwick's 477 wool has mythical fish-catching properties with lengths of the wool selling for hundreds of dollars. Production of Chadwick’s wool ceased in 1965, which only added to its value.

The Killer Bug was named by Sawyer's friend Lee Wulff, but its popularity never quite took in the U.S.

By the time I found out about the “Bug” there was no wool to purchase. I was on a mission find a suitable substitute.

Veniard’s sells their version wool (Veniard 477) but without a sample of the genuine article, it was nearly impossible to know if it was a good match.

My first substitute took the form of a cutting up an old rag wool sweater that now too small, which worked well. Next, I found some old craft yarn “Fun with Fibers” that had a viable candidate but was as rare as the Chadwick’s. Then I started to use Patons Classic Wool Natural Mix (00229), which I found at Michael’s. Then I struck gold, one blogger from the U.K. sent me a yard of Chadwick’s 477, now I had the yarn to use as a reference.

Many other bloggers and friends pointed me in the direction of finding a suitable substitute. Chris Swart (TenkaraBum), Juan Ramirez (The Hopper Juan), and Jason Klass (Tenkara Talk).

Here is a list of yarns you can use to tie your killer bug.

Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift: Oyster (Color #290)

Patons Classic Wool Yarn (00229) Natural Mix

Regia Darning Yarn: Light Camel Marl

Veniard Chadwick Wool - 477 (Killer Bug Yarn)

Places to purchase these yarns and your local craft or yarn shop.

http://www.tenkarabum.com/fly-tying-materials.html

http://threeriverstenkara.com/?product=regia-darning-yarn

http://www.performanceflies.com/product-p/v-yarn-c477.htm

Good luck and tie some Killer Bugs for your next fishing adventure.

Lou DiGena

Fly and Fin

Monday, May 9, 2011

Rag Bug takes it First Victim.

Crane flies are starting to pop around here in the east. Crane flies are in most river system's and the larva are abundant. Crane fly larva come range in sizes from a size 16 all the way up to an 8 and are a large meal to any trout.

Crane Fly Larva from wikipedia.

There are many patterns that work well to imitate this abundant food source. The first and foremost is Frank Sawyers Killer Bug. To see how it's tied one I recommend Tying Frank Sawyer's Killer Bug with Davie McPhail on YouTube. The Killer Bug uses Chadwick 477 which is almost impossible to find. Veniard sells a fine substitute (See Killer Bug Yarn post). I also found some old craft yard which looks like it will do the job as well (See Possible Chadwick 477 Substitute), but I've not tried it to date.

Another great Crane fly larva imitation is Walt Young's Walt's Worm. The Jersey Angler has a great post Sometimes Simple is Best... Walt's Worm.

So what to do if you can't fine or wait for Veniard 477 order to ship, well you can do what I did. Go to your wardrobe and fine an old Rag Wool sweater (one that shrunk or in my case, doesn't fit my fat ass). Cut out a good size piece and pull apart the fibers and tie my Rag Bug.

Here is the Rag Bug's first victim.

This Hen slammed the Rag Bug.

Smile for the camera.

Here is a valuable tip, If you don't tie take or can't wait take any Hare's Ear nymph and with your nippers cut way the wing case and tail any you'll have a very effect Crane fly larva pattern. I've done this many time when I lost my last Walt's Worm while fishing.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Possible Chadwick 477 Substitute

I found this craft yard package at work while cleaning out an old locker from a craft class called "Fun with Fibers." The package contains 10 skeins of natural colored yards (2 of each).

It seems to be a wool polyester/nylon blend, it's soft and has the sparkle of Antron yarn. There is no way of knowing since the packaging gives no clue of the blend, not could I find the product online.

I compared it to Veniard's No. 477 and it looks close. I have to tie a few Sawyer's Killer Bugs with the 3 closes matches and see which produces. Needless the yarn looks very buggy and should work for several nymph patterns.