Booby Saint Patrick - Stillwater

Booby: The Saint Patrick

The Booby Saint Patrick is a lethal stillwater fly that I am particularly fond of. Its flashy sheen triggers trout aggression, while still keeping a touch of realism thanks to its balanced mix of greens that helps fool wary fish.

For this pattern, I use a HANAK H 280 BL hook (in size 12 or 14) or its counterpart, the H 270 BL, identical but with a shorter shank.

This hook is perfect for boobies: its offset point aligned parallel to the shank boosts hook-up rates, while its well-designed bend provides outstanding holding power during the fight. A sure bet for stillwater!

To get that signature underwater Booby action, I use a low-density foam cylinder in 5 or 6 mm for the eyes. Paired with a sinking line, this buoyancy makes the fly "dance" and rise on the pauses, which is often what triggers the take.

The body is made with 4mm phosphorescent chenille to ensure maximum visibility, even at depth.

Tying steps

- Start by preparing the eyes: cut a ~12 mm section of foam cylinder.

- Taper the ends with scissors, then very lightly heat with a lighter to smooth the foam and get a nicely rounded shape.

- Secure the hook in the vise and start your Veevus 8/0 tying thread just behind the eye.

- Wrap the thread down in touching turns to the bend.

- Tie in the Booby tail using marabou fibers, securing them firmly.

- Tie in the phosphorescent chenille at the base of the tail and leave it hanging.

- Bring the thread back up to the front, leaving a 2 mm gap behind the eye for the foam eyes.

- Secure the foam cylinder tightly with snug figure-eight wraps. Make sure the cylinder is perfectly centered to keep the fly balanced in the water and to avoid ending up with one eye bigger than the other.

- Wrap the chenille forward in touching turns along the shank and stop just behind the foam eyes.

- Lock the chenille down firmly with the tying thread right behind the eyes, build a small neat head in front of the eyes and finish with a whip finish. Secure everything with a drop of varnish or super glue.