Tim Flagler demonstrates how to tie a Chubby Chernobyl in this video. Just a quick note from me. Do not underestimate this pattern. I am speaking from experience. This fly is a fish catcher, no doubt about it. You should have some in your box. Below is an excerpt from Tim which he wrote for the Fly Tyer website on the Chubby Chernobyl.
“The Chubby Chernobyl is a husky descendant of the venerable Chernobyl Ant. There are times, especially on Western rivers during the late summer and early fall, when trout will swim from 20 feet away to inhale a Chubby twitched in the film. This pattern works that well!
Aside from its attractiveness, consider these other two factors when tying and fishing the Chubby Chernobyl. The first is float-ability and how the pattern sits on the water. If the fly lands on the water improperly or sinks more than floats, all the attractiveness in the world isn’t going to make it fun to fish. A good Chubby will land correctly and float high and dry every cast. Sure, a little cleaning, drying, and dressing are necessary now and again, but not constantly.
The second important factor—and this is a biggie—is durability. If the fly gets torn apart or the foam body twists around the hook shank after catching only one fish, how useful is it? Tying on another fly during the heat of battle is extremely frustrating and wastes precious time. A Chubby should last for at least a half-dozen fish, including a couple of big dogs. Construct the Chubby Chernobyl accordingly.”
Materials:
Hook: 3X-long nymph hook (here, a Dai-Riki 710), size 8. OR (Daiichi 1720 will work just as well. This is an older video where Tim used Dai-Riki.)
Thread: UTC 140 Denier, olive green.
Tail: Krystal Flash, pearl.
Underbody: Craft Foam, 2mm, olive.
Body 1: Rabbit-fur dubbing, yellow olive.
Overbody: Fly Foam, 2mm, olive.
Legs 1: Round rubber legs.
Wing 1: McFlylon, gray.
Body 2: Rabbit-fur dubbing, yellow olive.
Legs 2: Round rubber legs.
Wing 2: McFlylon, gray.
Body 3: Rabbit-fur dubbing, yellow olive.
