The Bass Buddy is a buoyant fly pattern similar to the Booby, with a range of fishing options depending on how you choose to present it. The Booby is a popular trout-catching pattern, best known for its distinctive buoyant foam eyes. These allow it to be fished near the surface with a floating line or deep down near the lake bed using a fast-sinking line and a short leader.
Originally, Booby eyes were made from polystyrene balls wrapped in stocking mesh. However, these could be easily crushed, reducing their buoyancy. Today, durable microcellular foam provides a tougher alternative that can be tied directly to the hook. Purpose-made foam dowels are also available, making it easy to shape the eyes by trimming the ends.
Tying instructions can also be found on pages 203–204 of The Fly Tying Bible.
Materials
Tying instructions
- Lay a bed of thread along shank of hook, to opposite hook point.
- Tie in Marabou tail (length about hook length).
- Tie on Estas Chenille.
- Tie on foam head with figure 8 just short of hook eye.
- Wrap shank of hook with Estas Chenille up to & over Foam Head.
- Tie off with thread at hook eye & seal thread end with Super Glue.
- Use marker pen to indicate eyes on foam.
