StreamersLead Eyed Bugger
The Lead Eyed Bugger is Charlie Craven's weighted variation of the classic Woolly Bugger that adds plated lead eyes for a jigging action and faster sink rate. This versatile streamer features a black marabou tail, pearl Krystal Flash for attraction, an olive tinsel chenille body, palmered black saddle hackle, and a light olive fine chenille head wrapped around medium lead eyes. The weighted head creates an enticing up-and-down swimming action that triggers aggressive strikes.
Year Round
Beginner
Trout, Bass
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box showcases how adding weight to a proven pattern can create new fishing opportunities. The Lead Eyed Bugger builds on the legendary Woolly Bugger foundation with the addition of plated lead eyes that fundamentally change the fly's action in the water. The eyes flip the hook point up, reducing snags while creating a jigging motion on the retrieve. The olive tinsel chenille body adds flash while the palmered black hackle provides lifelike movement. The fine chenille head masks the eyes while adding bulk to the front profile that suggests the head of a baitfish or crayfish.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 5263, #4
Thread: UNI 6/0, black
Eyes: Lead Eyes (plated), medium
Tail: Marabou, black
Flash: Krystal Flash, pearl
Body: Tinsel Chenille, olive
Hackle: Saddle Hackle, black
Head: Fine Chenille, light olive
Fishing Tips
Season
Effective year-round as it imitates multiple prey items. Particularly productive in early spring and late fall when trout actively chase larger food sources.
Presentation
Use a strip-pause retrieve, letting the weighted head pull the fly down between strips. The jigging action triggers reaction strikes from both trout and bass. Vary your retrieve speed until you find what the fish want.
When to Use
Select this pattern when fishing deeper water or faster currents where you need to get the fly down quickly. Excellent as a searching pattern when you're not sure what fish are eating.
Water Type
Effective in both moving water and stillwater. In rivers, fish deep pools, undercut banks, and slower runs. In lakes, work drop-offs, weed edges, and structure where predatory fish ambush prey.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-foot leader tapering to 2X-3X tippet. Can be fished on a floating line in shallower water or with sink-tip/full-sink lines for deeper applications.
Visibility & Floatation
The olive body with black hackle creates a silhouette that works in various light conditions. The pearl flash adds attraction without overwhelming the natural profile. The lead eyes ensure the fly sinks quickly and rides hook-point-up.
