Half Chubby Chernobyl (Fed’s Variant)
The Half Chubby Chernobyl isn’t trying to imitate anything specific—and that’s exactly the point. Like its big brother, the Chubby Chernobyl, it’s an attractor pattern. It doesn’t look like a hopper, ant, or beetle—but fish don’t care. They just know they want to eat it.
Born from the legendary Chubby Chernobyl of Utah’s Green River, the Half Chubby is a smaller, tighter version that’s ideal for small streams, quick strikes, and aggressive feeders. Whether you’re chasing wild brookies in a backcountry creek or tossing into warmwater eddies for bass and panfish, the Half Chubby brings the party.
Why Fish It?
- Size: More subtle than the original Chubby, but still floats like a cork.
- Versatility: Trout, bass, bluegill—it doesn’t discriminate.
- Durability: 2mm foam and a jig hook make this pattern tough and long-lasting.
- Ease of Tying: Fewer steps, less bulk, but still has that fishy profile.
Tying Tips
Paul “The Fed” Fedeles recommends starting with bold, fish-triggering colours: pink, purple, yellow, or orange. But honestly? Use what you’ve got. Just make sure the foam, thread, ice dubbing, and rubber legs are all in the same colour family—consistency matters for a clean silhouette.
Quick Tying Notes:
- Pre-cut and punch your foam bodies.
- Two rubber legs per four flies—cut them in half and you’re good to go.
- Use a strong jig hook for that upright ride and great hook sets.
Materials
- Hook:Jig hook size 10.
- Thread:Sheer 14/0.
- Tails:Krystal Flash.
- Underbody:UV Ice Dub.
- Body:Craft foam, 2mm.
- Abdomen:UV matching Ice Dub.
- Legs:Barred round-rubber legs.
- Wing:White Poly-yarn
- Thorax:UV Ice Dub.
Tying Instructions
- Start the Thread
Cover the front third of the hook shank with thread wraps. - Add Flash Tail
Take three strands of flash material, fold them in half, and cut at the fold.
Tie them in at the front third, then fold the flash back and secure it down along the top of the shank to the bend of the hook.
- Dub the Underbody
Apply ice dubbing to your thread and dub a smooth underbody from the bend to the front third of the hook. - Attach the Foam
Pierce the centre of the foam strip with the hook eye and slide it over so it folds under the hook. Tie down the foam strip securely on the underside of the hook at the front third.
- Redub the Back Third
Add more ice dubbing to cover the rear third of the fly, behind the foam tie-in point. - Advance the Thread
Wrap the thread to just past the hook point.
- (Optional) Add Super Glue
Apply a small amount of super glue to the top of the foam for added durability. - Create the Head
Fold the foam forward over the top of the fly to form the head. Tie it down securely with thread wraps.
- Trim the Flash
Cut the flash tail so it extends just past the end of the foam. - Add Rubber Legs
Fold two rubber legs in half to make four total strands. Tie them in on top of the hook, then pull them to the sides so they sit evenly on each side of the fly.
- Tie in Wing
Tie in a short piece of poly yarn on top of the hook for the wing.
Fold it back and secure it with a few tight thread wraps.
Add a touch of ice dubbing around the base to lock it in place and build a small head. - Finish the Fly
Wrap a clean thread head near the eye and whip finish or use a couple of half hitches. - Final Trims
Trim the poly yarn wing to match the length of the foam body.
Trim the rubber legs so they extend just past the foam on both sides.
Bonus tip: Train the poly yarn with your fly tying hair drier.
