This is no ground breaking fly, nor is it all that much different from a normal leech or woolly bugger. This fly is more about what it is made from opposed to what it is supposed to replicate. Not to say that this fly isn’t a bang up impersonation of leeches found all over Arizona’s small streams and lakes. These buggers are tied using the breast and flank feathers from a Gambel’s Quail hen shot by Kayla’s stepdad on our new German Shorthair’s second quail outing.
Kayla helping Sage with a couple of prickly pear spikes
It seems only fitting to after taking one of these wily desert birds to use its feathers to go after the spooky desert fish that live in those out of the way spots in Arizona.
What I Used:
- Size 8 2X Long Streamer Hook
- Bead head, dealers choice on the color
- Brown thread
- Non-lead wire (for weight)
- AZ Dubbing Green/Black
- Quail flank and breast feather
While I know quail feathers are not always the most available commodity, if you do get your hands on some and want to wrap up a couple flies, this is a quick, fun tie!
928 Fly Tying 
One thought on “Gambel’s Bugger”