CoCh-y-bonddhu fly

Believed to have originated in Wales during the 18th century, this is used as both a wet and dry fly. Translating as ‘red with a black trunk’, it is supposed that fish mistake it for the garden chafer, Phyllopertha horticola. This beetle has a metallic, blue-green thorax, black legs and body, and reddish-brown wing cases. The body of the fly is created from a bronze peacock herl. This is a barb of the feather from near the top of the eye. Orange-silk floss ribbed with brown thread or fine, copper wire is used to prevent the herl being torn off by a fish. A short tail of black floss can also be added.