The Killer Bug

[Southshore]

The yarn from the Shetland Islands only took 3 week to get here to NZ. It's not exactly the same as Frank Sawyer's Chadwick's darning wool which he used to make his killer bug, but Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift Oyster is as close as you can get these days. An original card of Chadwick's 477, rare as hen's teeth, would start the bidding at $100. What Frank discovered with this wool was it changed colour to a pale pink when wet, imitating grayling food in the Avon river where he was custodian. It worked well on trout too and is still used today. The original tie does not use any thread, copper wire is used for the base and to secure the wool. I've tied a couple just like this and added a fancy rubberlegs Utah killer bug with orange thread. Probably the best size hook is #12 although the Utah model looks ok on a #10. I've used jig hooks and because they tend to flow upside down, the legs are tied to dangle that way. No need for a pattern here, there's plenty on the net.

[Southshore]

Getting the hang of the macro on the Coolpix. This is another version of the Utah killer bug on jig hook #12

[icthusiast]

That's not a Ryobi (357MG?) along with the leggy ones, is it Southshore?

[Southshore]

No, it's the 355MG model which I've had from new. It sits on my Redington #4 and has a spare spool, I did have its big brother 455MG but I foolishly sold it with a #8 rod. Cheers

[icthusiast]

Nice! Not sure of the differences between the models, but the 357MG was the first reel I ever bought (was sold) when taking up the noble art, back in 1990.

I ended up getting a couple of second hand frames, and a spare spool two, and they served me well for twenty years or so. Drags are all shot now, but they're still sitting in the bottom cupboard of my tying desk just because I can't bring myself to chuck them!

[Southshore]

Don't chuck them out, you may need to adjust/rework/bend the flexible bits in the drag system - I had to do some bending to get the brake back - it can be done. The Ryobi MG's are still available on ebay in the UK if you're prepared to pay the exorbitant delivery price. My 355 will see me out.