Learn how to tie the Hothead Pearl Bird’s Nest, Hogan Brown’s modern variation on one of the most productive trout flies ever designed. This pattern blends classic Bird’s Nest proportions with updated materials like Pearl Core bodies, inverted tungsten beads, and mallard flank wings to create a buggy, versatile nymph that excels in a wide range of conditions.
In this tutorial, Hogan demonstrates each step in detail, from establishing the proportions to building a natural profile by tying materials along the sides of the hook. With traditional dubbing and a peacock herl head adding the perfect touch of movement and contrast, this pattern works equally well as a caddis imitation, a mayfly nymph, or a general attractor for winter and off-color water.
Whether you are refining your Bird’s Nest variations or learning this style for the first time, this fly is simple, effective, and adaptable in sizes large and small.
00:00 – Introduction: Why reinvent the Bird’s Nest
00:26 – Thread start and bead setup
01:05 – Adding the mallard flank tail
01:40 – Tying in the Pearl Core body material
02:10 – Palmering the Pearl Core for the abdomen
02:40 – Adding a thin layer of buggy dubbing
03:05 – Mallard flank wings on the sides
03:50 – Building the thorax with dubbing
04:20 – Adding peacock herl for the head
04:55 – Securing behind the hot bead
05:25 – Pattern uses: caddis, baetis, and winter attractor
05:50 – Final fly spin
See a full materials list at: https://loonoutdoors.com/blogs/fly-tying-videos/hot-head-pearl-birds-nest
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