The Micro Tungsten Bugger Selection - from Barbless Flies
The Woolly Bugger is a fly fishing legend. The Micro Tungsten Bugger is what happens when you ask: what if it was smaller, heavier, and tied on the best hook available?
At just 24mm (approximately 1 inch) from hook eye to the tip of the marabou tail, this is a compact, highly mobile pattern that punches well above its weight. The body-coloured tungsten bead gets it down fast - critical when fish are holding deep in the water column - while the soft marabou tail pulses with life on even the slowest retrieve.
Tied on the AHREX FW551 size 14, a jig hook that fishes point-up, dramatically reducing snags on the bottom and giving you a much better hook-up rate on takes that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Our Micro Tungsten Bugger Selection contains 12 flies in total - 3 each of the following colours:
Black - The classic. Works in virtually every condition, from coloured water to clear. If you carry one Micro Tungsten Bugger, carry this one.
Olive - A natural choice for trout rivers where the fish are looking for something that resembles a small fish fry, cased caddis, or damsel nymph. Particularly effective in the kind of water that holds wild brown trout.
Pink - Don't be fooled by the colour. Pink Buggers have a long and impressive track record on UK rivers and stillwaters, particularly on grayling and stocked trout. An attractor pattern that doesn't apologise for itself.
White - Bright conditions, clear water, pressured fish. The White Micro Bugger gives you something visible without being heavy-handed. Also exceptional on stillwaters when fish are targeting small fry.
Fish them on a floating line with a long leader, or on an intermediate when fish are sitting deeper. They work equally well as point flies in a nymph rig or stripped slowly through the head of a pool. Small fly, big results.
Hook: Size 14 AHREX FW551
Length: 24mm (approx. 1 inch)
Bead: Tungsten, body colour matched
Available colours: Black, Olive, Pink and White
How to Fish This Fly:
The Micro Tungsten Bugger is extremely versatile and effective across a wide range of retrieves:
- Slow figure-of-eight retrieve in still waters to maximise the natural movement of the squirrel fibres
- Short, controlled strips with brief pauses to imitate an injured baitfish
- Swing and hang across small rivers and streams, allowing the fly to pulse naturally in the current
- Upstream presentation in shallow water, letting the fly drift briefly before adding gentle movement
This fly performs particularly well in clear to lightly coloured water and is highly effective when fish are feeding cautiously or under pressure.
Each fly is individually hand-tied with close attention to proportion, balance and finish, ensuring premium quality and reliable performance straight out of the box.