Learn to tie the Beginner's Buford with Josh Smeltzer of Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co. This pattern was originally developed and tied by Brad Bohen. Josh has a slightly different approach for making the collar and head which is easier for beginner tyers learning to work with bucktail or for tyers who struggle with bucktail "Buford" style heads. Additionally to make this tie more approachable all the bucktail is straight tied on the shank and distributed with the thumb and index finger. So the tyer doesn't have to worry about reverse tying.
The framework of this fly is the foundation for most pike and musky flies you see today, utilizing the simple subsequent steps of fur, feather, & flash throughout the fly.
When tying the Beginner's Buford, there's a tendency of adding too much bucktail for the rudder and body, making the tail feathers too long, and rushing to tie on the buford head.
TYER'S TIPS:
To combat the bucktail issues:
Each clump of bucktail should be about the diameter of a standard pencil (except for making the Buford collar & head) and the small under fibers should either be brushed or pulled out. Your first clump of bucktail fibers for tying the rudder of the fly should come for the tip-top area of the bucktail as they typically don't compress well and well create a nice sturdy straight rudder. As you progress through the tie, cut subsequent clumps down the bucktail toward the base.
To decide tail length:
The tail feathers should be 4-5 shank lengths long. This will establish perfect proportions for the rest of the fly.
Making the Buford collar and head:
Find a consistent sized clump on the "B side" (backside) of the bucktail near the base. This clump should be about as large as your fingers grip. Cut as flat as you can next to the hide and brush out all those under fibers. Then stack them as neat as you can either in your hands or with a large hair stacker. When you're ready plunge the eye of the hook through the center of the bucktail stack and apply several loose wraps. Position the clump to the spot your want before cranking down on your thread. Then keep wrapping your thread around the clump in a zig zag motion until the collar and head are anchored in place.
All the materials for tying the Beginner's Buford can be found at MuskyFool.com
Beginner's Buford Recipe:
Thread: VEEVUS GSP THREAD 150 DENIER - Black
Hook: AHREX TP610 trout predator STR. 6/0
Bucktail: MF BUCKTAIL A GRADE BUCKTAIL - "pink wisco flame"
Feathers: WHITING FARMS SCHLAPPEN 6" TO 10" - Pink
Tail Flash: HARELINE BARRED FLASHABOU MAGNUM - FL Pink / Black
Body Flash: HARELINE KRYSTAL FLASH - FL Cerise