Burns' Bullet, created by Todd Burns to fish the Martin's and surrounding creeks, is a prime example of how current anglers are creating new flies to meet the demands of the incredible resources of Pocono fisheries.  An evolution of the classic bead head pheasant tail nymph, this little gem perhaps outfishes the classic pheasant tail nymph form which is is derived.

Step 1

Using a pair of needle nose pliers, make a 30 degree kink in the shank of the hook one third to one half of the way back from the eye. This will help to define the abdomen and the thorax of the fly and give the fly a more realistic profile. Slip a gold tungsten bead onto the hook.

Step 2

Start the thread on the hook behind the bead and create a thread base to the bend. Tie a biot on each side of the hook to create a split tail. The length of the tail should be shank length, or slightly shorter. Then tie in a third biot by the tip on top of the shank. Bind the butt ends of the biots down to the shank to create a tapered underbody. Finish with the thread hanging just in front of the kink you created earlier.

Step 3

Grasp the biot with your hackle pliers and wrap it up the shank to the kink in touching turns to create a ridged abdomen. Take one more wrap past the kink and secure the biot at this point on top of the hook with your thread. Pull the biot back and secure it again with thread to leave the butt end pointing back toward the bend of the hook (if your biot is too short for this, simply tie another biot to the top of the hook shank by the tip, with the butt end hanging back over the bend of the hook.) This butt end will later be pulled forward to create the wing case of the fly.

Step 4

Tie in a few strands of peacock herl just in front of the abdomen and then tie in a small grizzly hackle feather by the butt end at the midpoint of the thorax. Wind the thread forward to the bead.

Step 5

Twist the peacock herl into a rope and create the thorax, making a few turns behind the grizzly feather and a few turns in front of it. Secure the herl with tying thread and trim the excess.

Step 6

Wind the grizzly feather forward in open wraps to create legs for the fly. Make one to two wraps only, just enough to create the illusion of legs. Tie the feather off and trim the excess. Pull the butt end of the biot forward to create a wing case, secure with thread, and trim the excess. Tie off your thread with a whip finish and add a drop of head cement. Your Burns Bullet is ready for action!