How to Tie: The Copper John

Sep 17

The Copper John is a go-to fly for many anglers because it sinks like a stone and works wonders in various fishing conditions. While the original is tied in a copper color, you can easily adapt it by swapping out the wire color to match the specific hatches on your local waters. Whether it’s red, black, or green, this versatile fly can imitate a range of aquatic insects, making it a must-have in any angler’s box.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Start the Hook and Bead Setup:
- Place a size 14 2X long and 2X heavy hook (such as a Lightning Strike SN1) in your vise.
- Slide a 7/64” gold Cyclops bead onto the hook, small hole first.
- Add 11–12 wraps of 0.015 lead-free wire behind the bead to stabilize it and provide weight.
Start the Thread and Tail:
- Use black UTC 70 thread and start wrapping behind the lead wire, building a solid base.
- For the tail, snip two brown goose biots and position them splayed outward. Measure to about half the hook shank in length.
- Secure the biots with loose thread wraps, then tighten as you wrap back toward the wire, securing the tail. Trim excess biot material.
Create the Underbody:
- Attach a piece of brassie-sized Ultra copper wire at the base of the tail, and wrap the thread forward to the lead wire.
- Continue wrapping the thread to build a smooth, tapered underbody.
Wrap the Copper Ribbing:
- Begin wrapping the copper wire forward in tight, touching turns to create the body. Stop at about 3/4 of the hook shank length.
- Secure the wire with thread and then helicopter it off for a clean break.
Add the Wing Case:
- Tie in a strand of pearl Flashabou directly on top of the hook shank behind the bead.
- Next, tie in a strip of thin skin (shiny side down) over the top of the Flashabou, ensuring it stays centered on the shank.
Form the Thorax:
- Select a single strand of peacock herl. Tie it in with the iridescent green side facing you.
- Wrap the peacock herl to form a full, bushy thorax, and secure it behind the bead. Trim any excess herl.
Attach the Legs:
- Prepare a brown hen hackle feather by stripping the lower fibers and trimming the tip.
- Position the feather on top of the hook with the cup side facing down. Secure it with two loose thread wraps.
- Pull the feather stem to adjust the legs to the desired length (about to the hook point).
Finish the Wing Case:
- Pull the thin skin forward over the thorax and secure it with two wraps of thread.
- Pull the Flashabou forward and secure it with the same thread wraps. Trim the excess of both materials.
Whip Finish and Epoxy:
- Perform a whip finish to secure the thread and trim it close to the bead.
- Mix equal parts of Z-Poxy 5-minute epoxy and apply a small amount to the top of the wing case, covering the cut ends of the thin skin and Flashabou.
- Allow the epoxy to settle and cure properly.