We’ve known for a while that highveld fly guy Herman Botes has been onto something pretty special with his new streamer pattern, and now, having fished it ourselves, we can confirm that it does indeed klap fish. To help Herman bring the ‘Pug’ to the world, we sat down with him, learned about the what, the why and the how, and even made a step-by-step video demonstrating how to tie it.  

The Pug possesses a few key features that set it apart as a swim fly baitfish streamer pattern. Herman says “When it comes to representing a baitfish, your pattern doesn’t need to look that much like a baitfish – it needs to act like a baitfish. A swim fly, like the Pug, which has a side-to-side action when retrieved, acts like a baitfish.” Stacks of craft fur and sculpting fibre provide shape and movement in the tail, while a wrapped SF brush gives bulk towards the head, together with carded laser dub, both on the top and bottom of the hook shank.

Learn how to tie the Pug by watching the step-by-step video tutorial below.

JOIN THE CULT OF FLY FISHING

MATERIALS NEEDED

• Hook: Mustad Ringed Chinu #2
• Eyes: Plastic bead chain
• Tail: Sculpting flash fibre and craft fur
• Body: SF fibre brush 1″
• Head: Laser dub and craft fur

Learn more about the Pug in The Mission issue 55 below. It’s free!

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