by Rich Johnson JANUARY'S FLY: NUCLIC BUNNY This fly was created by Rich Johnson on a Southeast Alaska Steelhead river. It was named by Greg Heister tongue tying the word "nuclear". Black has always been a favorite low-light color. Adding the new synthetic Lite-Brite as a collar was a stoke of luck. The combination comes into its own in low light conditions.
	Thread: Danville Plus, White Hook: UTE Salmon Tail: Rabbit Strip, Black Body: Rabbit Strip, Black Wing: White Polar Bear (Calf Tail or Goat) Collar: Lite Brite®, Pearl/Blue
	Lead the hook from above the hook point forward to where the wire loop ends. Secure with wraps of thread. (This is a sive 4 hook with .030 lead)
	Attach the rabbit strip on the top of the shank with three tight wraps of thread. Split the hairs to expose just the hide at the tie in spot. Bring the thread forward.
	Bring the rabbit strip forward in tight wraps. Tie off and trim the strip. Bind with several tight wraps. (When tying rabbit strips this way your wraps must be as tight as possible to avoid twisting.)
	Groom a patch of Lite Brite so that it is shaggy on both ends. The patch should be twice as long as the length of the rabbit hair fibers.
	Tie the Lite Brite on the top of the shank in the center of the patch with three tight wraps. The fibers should be distributed around the top half of the shank, encircling the upper body.
	Fold the patch around the hook eye and underneath the shank, distributing the fibers around the bottom half of the body. Wrap a neat head and whip finish.
	Using a Velcro® strip or similar tool, comb and groom the Lite Brite back over the body creating a collar that veils the body.
	The finished fly should look like it has a hackle collar of sparkling fibers. This fly is a new pattern and to my knowledge, other color combinations have not been tried.
Previous Flies December 1998: Alaska Mary Ann November: Niukluk Smolt October: Sea Flea September: Frank's Fly August: Sparkle Shrimp July: Flashfly June: Comet May: Everglow April: Battle Creek Special March: Pearl Marabou Smolt February : Crystal Egg Wooly Bugger January : Tangle Lakes Teaser December 1997: Bead-Head Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle
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Send comments or questions regarding the Fly of the Month to Rich Johnson Photos and text by Rich Johnson, used by permission. Copyright © 1998, All Rights Reserved.