July Fly of the Month: Bluegill Bug

July 2026 Fly of the Month submitted by Allie Guettler

Recipe:

Thread: UTC 140 or 70

Hook: Dry Fly Hook Size 12 or 14

Foam

Ice Dub

Crazy Legs

Step-by-Step:

Step 1

Start thread near the eye of the hook and work back to the start of the bend.

Step 2

Twist dubbing onto thread and make close wraps going towards the eye and loose wraps to the bend.

Step 3

Take one crazy leg and fold it around the thread to tie into place. It should come off the bend of the hook. Give it a couple of wraps to lock in place.

Step 4

Next cut out your foam. You want it to be twice the length of the body (hook shank). Fold in half and trim the free ends to any shape you would like the butt of your bug to be.

From here, use sparse wraps as you work up the hook.

Advance thread with one wrap, a hook-eye’s length toward the eye. Hold your foam on top of your hook with the folded end near the eye. Use two loose wraps to tie down the foam and then pull tight.

Step 5

Pull up the front of the foam and use wide wraps to get 1-2 hook-eye’s lengths behind the eye. Set the foam down and tie with two loose wraps and tighten.

Step 6

In the same position on the hook, tie legs onto each side of the fly by folding the leg in half around the thread. Cut small piece of contrasting foam or use a scrap and tie onto the top of the fly in the same hook position.

Finishing the Fly

Advance your thread in one wrap to the hook eye and tie off with 3 half-hitch knots. Put a dab of glue on the knot.

Trim and adjust your legs as desired.

Shorter is good as they will get chewed up.

Use a stiff brush or your bodkin to rough up the dubbing on the underside to make it look buggy.

Have fun fishing this bluegill bug! Send pictures to ohwomenonthefly@gmail.com to show us what you catch with it.