Step-by-Step Guide for Tying a Copper John: Master the Essential Fly-Fishing Technique Today

Are you a fly fishing enthusiast looking to catch more trout? Look no further than the Copper John, a highly effective fly pattern that should be in every angler's arsenal. Today, we'll teach you how to tie one of the most popular versions of the Copper John.

To start, gather your materials: size 14-18 hook, copper wire, peacock herl, pheasant tail fibers, black thread, and a bead head. Begin by sliding the bead head onto the hook and securing it with thread just behind the eye.

Next, take a piece of copper wire and wrap it around the shank of the hook in an evenly spaced spiral pattern, securing with thread at both ends. This will provide a sturdy base for the rest of the fly.

Now, tie in 6-8 strands of peacock herl, making sure they are roughly even in length. Wrap them around the shank of the hook just in front of the copper wire to create the thorax of the fly.

Using the pheasant tail fibers, tie in a few strands at the base of the peacock herl, curving them upwards towards the bead. This will create the legs of the Copper John.

Wrap the black thread over the remaining pheasant tail fibers to create the abdomen of the fly, covering up the copper wire. Tie off the thread and trim the excess.

Finally, tie in another piece of copper wire and wrap it back over the black thread, securing it with thread at both ends. This will create the ribbing of the fly.

To finish, twist together the two wires and wrap them around the thorax in an evenly spaced spiral pattern. Tie off the wires and trim the excess.

Congratulations, you've just tied your very own Copper John! This pattern is highly effective in both stillwater and river situations, making it a versatile addition to any fly fishing setup.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different colors of thread and wire to create variations of the Copper John. And remember, practice makes perfect - keep tying and soon enough, you'll have a box full of these go-to flies.

So why wait? Start tying your very own Copper Johns today and enhance your fly fishing experience like never before! Happy fishing!

"How To Tie A Copper John" ~ bbaz

Introduction

The Copper John is a popular fly that is used to catch fish species such as trout and bass. This fly is a versatile pattern that resembles an aquatic insect, making it a great choice for various fly fishing scenarios. Tying a Copper John can seem complicated, but with the right techniques and materials, it can become a rewarding experience.

Materials Needed

To tie a Copper John, here are the materials you need:

Hook (Size 12-18)
Copper wire (Size medium or large)
Beads (Size 3/32 or 1/8)
Lead wire (Size .015-.030)
Thread (Color of your choice)
Flashback material (Optional)
Peacock herl (Optional)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Choose the Hook

The first step in tying a Copper John is to choose the hook. The hook size can vary from 12-18, depending on the fish species you’re targeting. A good rule of thumb is to use a larger hook for bigger fish and a smaller one for smaller ones.

Step 2: Attach the Beads

The next step is to attach the beads to the hook. Start by sliding the bead onto the hook and pushing it up against the eye of the hook. Then, slide another bead on the hook, leaving a small gap between the two beads. This gap will be used for the copper wire.

Step 3: Add Lead Wire

Add lead wire around the shank of the hook, leaving a small gap between the lead wire and the bead. The lead wire will help to add weight to the fly, making it easier to cast and allow the fly to sink faster.

Step 4: Attach Thread

Attach thread to the hook using a half hitch knot. Wrap the thread around the shank of the hook in close turns, starting from the eye of the hook down to the bend of the hook. Then, wrap back up towards the bead.

Step 5: Add Copper Wire

Take the copper wire and wrap it around the hook in close turns, starting behind the bead and working your way towards the bend of the hook. Make sure each wrap is touching the previous one. Then, wrap back up towards the bead.

Step 6: Add Flashback Material (Optional)

If you want to add some flash to the fly, add a piece of flashback material on top of the copper wire. This will give the fly a realistic look of an aquatic insect.

Step 7: Attach Peacock Herl (Optional)

For added attraction, add some peacock herl on top of the flashback material. Use two or three strands of peacock herl and wrap them around the hook.

Step 8: Finish Wrapping Thread

Wrap the thread around the hook to secure the copper wire, flashback material, and peacock herl in place. Finish with a half hitch knot and cut the thread.

Step 9: Trim Excess Copper Wire

Using wire cutters, trim the excess copper wire from the end of the fly.

Step 10: Fish with Your Copper John

Your Copper John is now ready to use! This versatile fly can be used in various fishing scenarios, including nymphing, drifting, and a variety of other techniques. You can also experiment with different colors of thread, beads, and wire to create your own variations of the Copper John.

Conclusion

Tying a Copper John may be daunting, but it’s a skill that can be learned with practice. As you get better at tying this fly, you can add your own personal touches to make it your own. Whether you are an experienced fly tyer or just starting out, tying a Copper John is a great way to exercise your creativity and enhance your fly fishing experience.

How to Tie a Copper John: A Comparison Guide

Introduction

Tying your own flies is an essential skill for any angler. It allows you to customize your flies to match the conditions and preferences of the fish you're targeting. One of the most popular and effective fly patterns is the Copper John. In this comparison guide, we'll take a look at different methods and materials used to tie a Copper John, and provide some tips and recommendations along the way.

The Copper John Pattern

The Copper John is a versatile nymph pattern that imitates a variety of aquatic insects. Its distinctive copper wire body and brass or tungsten bead head give it weight and flash to attract trout and other species. The pattern was invented by John Barr, a Colorado fly tyer, and has since become a classic in the fly fishing world. Let's take a look at how to tie your own Copper John.

Materials

The Copper John pattern requires a few essential materials, including hook, thread, copper wire, dubbing, and a bead head. You can use a variety of hook sizes and styles depending on the size and type of fish you're targeting. Thread color can be matched to the dubbing or used as a contrasting color for added visibility. Copper wire is used for the body, and can be plain or ribbed for added texture. Dubbing can be synthetic or natural, and should match the color and texture of the insect you're imitating. Bead heads come in brass or tungsten, and can be gold, silver, or copper for added flash.

Technique 1: Standard Copper John

One of the simplest ways to tie a Copper John is the standard method. Start by placing a bead head onto the hook and securing it with thread. Then, wrap the copper wire around the hook shank to form the body, leaving space for the dubbing. Apply the dubbing to the thread and wrap it around the hook to form the thorax. Finish by wrapping the thread behind the bead head and tying off.

Technique 2: Rubber Legs Copper John

For added realism and movement, you can tie a Rubber Legs Copper John using the same materials and technique as the standard version, but adding rubber legs to the body. Simply tie a piece of rubber leg material to each side of the hook shank before wrapping the wire around the body. Trim the legs to your desired length before applying the dubbing and finishing the fly.

Technique 3: UV Copper John

To create a more durable and effective fly, you can use UV resin to coat the Copper John body and cure it with a UV lamp. This helps to secure the wire and dubbing, add shine and durability, and make the fly more resilient to wear and tear. To use UV resin, simply apply a small amount to the body and thorax of the fly, shape it with a bodkin or brush, and cure it with the UV lamp.

Comparison Table

Technique	Materials	Difficulty Level	Effectiveness	Durability
Standard Copper John	Hook, thread, copper wire, dubbing, bead head	Easy	High	Medium
Rubber Legs Copper John	Hook, thread, copper wire, dubbing, bead head, rubber legs	Medium	High	Medium
UV Copper John	Hook, thread, copper wire, dubbing, bead head, UV resin, UV lamp	Hard	Very High	High

Opinion

In my opinion, all three techniques for tying a Copper John have their merits and are worth trying. The standard method is a great place to start, and can be very effective in many situations. The Rubber Legs version adds more movement and realism, and can be especially effective in faster water or murky conditions. The UV method is the most durable and effective, but requires more skill and equipment. Overall, it's worth experimenting with different variations of the Copper John pattern to find what works best for you and the fish you're targeting.

How To Tie A Copper John

Introduction

The Copper John is a popular fly in the fishing community, known for its effectiveness at catching trout, salmon, and other fish. It is named after its creator, John Barr, who designed the fly to resemble a caddisfly or stonefly nymph. Despite its simple appearance, the Copper John can be challenging to tie correctly, but with the right technique, anyone can create this successful fly.

Materials

Before starting to tie your Copper John, make sure you have all the necessary materials. You will need a hook, thread, copper wire, peacock herl, a bead head, feathers such as pheasant or goose biots, and a pair of pliers.

Step 1 - Prepare the Hook

Attach the hook to the vice and wrap the thread around the hook's shank until it's secure. Take the copper wire and do the same by wrapping it around the hook from the top of the shank to the bottom.

Step 2 - Add the Bead Head

Slide the bead head onto the hook and push it up to the eye. The bead should fit snugly against the hook's eye. Then slide the copper wire over the bead and secure it in place.

Step 3 - Add Peacock Herl

Cut off the peacock herl from the stem, and then wrap the end of the herl around the thread. Wrap both the thread and the herl around the hook shank, from the bead head back towards the tail. This should create a tapered shape on the fly's body. Secure the peacock herl in place when you reach the point where you want to stop.

Step 4 - Rubber Legs

Take two pieces of pheasant or goose biots and attach them to the fly, one on each side, behind the tapered body. These serve as the rubber legs of the fly.

Step 5 - Add Copper Wire

Wrap the copper wire over the peacock herl body, often in a spiral motion to close the gaps. This serves to add weight to the fly and reinforces the tapered shape of the body.

Step 6 - Attach Feathers

Cut two small sections of pheasant or goose biot feathers, around half an inch each, and attach them to the top of the fly, behind the bead head. These act as antennae for the Copper John.

Step 7 - Completing The Head

Take the thread and wrap it around the copper wire and feathers to create a tidy head. Pull off any remaining scraps of peacock herl on the fly's body.

Step 8 - Trim the Wire

With pliers, trim the wire's end, then push it back up through the bead head and cover the wire end by wrapping the thread over it.

Step 9 - Finishing Off

Tie off the thread and add a drop of glue to ensure that the thread doesn't come undone and the materials remain in place.

Conclusion

Follow these simple steps, practice making the fly, and soon you'll have a successful Copper John that performs well. With the combination of excellent technique, correct materials, and patience, you too can tie a perfect Copper John.

How To Tie A Copper John

The Copper John is a very popular fly in the fly-fishing community, particularly for catching trout and other freshwater fish. The fly was created by well-known fly tyer John Barr in the late 1990s and has since proven to be extremely effective in streams, rivers, and lakes. If you’re interested in learning how to tie a Copper John, we’ve got you covered!

Before we start tying, there are a few things you need to know about this fly. The Copper John is known as a “beadhead nymph”, which means that it has a small, heavy bead at the front of the fly to help it sink quickly in the water. One of the reasons this fly is so effective is because of its weight – it can get down to where the fish are feeding, making it easier to catch them.

Now, let’s get started with the materials you will need:

Hooks – Size 14-18
Beads – Copper or Gold in 1/8” or 5/64” size
Thread – Black or Brown 6/0 or 8/0
Tail – Pheasant tail fibers
Abdomen – Copper wire, size small or medium
Thorax – Peacock herl
Legs – Brown hackle fibers

Once you have your materials ready, it’s time to start tying! Begin by threading your hook onto the vise and attaching the thread to the shank of the hook.

Next, take 6-8 pheasant tail fibers and tie them onto the shank of the hook. These fibers should be about half the length of the shank.

Now, take a piece of copper wire and tie it onto the shank of the hook next to the pheasant tail fibers. Make sure to wrap the wire tightly around the shank in even increments.

Use your thread to create a thorax of peacock herl just behind the beadhead. Now, take a brown hackle feather and tie it in by the base where you left off with the copper wire.

Wrap the hackle feather around the thorax in a couple of turns and tie it off with your thread.

Your Copper John is now complete! All that’s left to do is trim the hackle and give it a good brushing to make sure the fibers are separated and standing out from the body of the fly.

Congratulations – you now know how to tie a Copper John! This is a great pattern to have in your fly box, and it’s sure to catch plenty of fish. With its heavy beadhead and realistic profile, it’s a great nymph for any angler to use in a wide variety of situations.

If you have any questions or comments about tying the Copper John, feel free to leave them below. Happy fishing!

Thank you for reading! We hope this tutorial was helpful in teaching you how to tie the Copper John. Remember to always practice proper catch and release, and to respect the water and the fish that inhabit it. Good luck out there on your next fishing adventure!