# **How to Choose Booby Eyes for Making Trout Flies: Choice of Colours/Sizes & Fly Tying Tips**
When it comes to crafting effective trout flies, **Booby Eyes** play a crucial role in enhancing both the appearance and functionality of your patterns. These buoyant, weighted eyes not only add realism but also influence the fly’s movement in the water, making them irresistible to trout. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced fly tyer, selecting the right **colours, sizes, and tying techniques** can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to choose the best **Booby Eyes** for your trout flies, ensuring optimal performance on your next fishing trip.
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## **1. Understanding Booby Eyes: Why They Matter**
Booby Eyes are small, weighted or foam eyes that give flies a **lifelike appearance** while helping them **float or suspend** at a desired depth. They are commonly used in **Booby Flies**, a popular stillwater pattern that mimics small baitfish or aquatic insects.
Key benefits of using Booby Eyes:
– **Buoyancy Control** – Helps flies stay at the right depth.
– **Enhanced Movement** – Creates an erratic, enticing action.
– **Visual Attraction** – Mimics the eyes of prey, triggering strikes.
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## **2. Choosing the Right Size for Trout Flies**
Selecting the correct **size** of Booby Eyes depends on the fly pattern and the trout’s feeding behavior.
### **Small Eyes (3mm – 5mm)**
– Best for **small nymphs and emergers**.
– Ideal for **clear water** where subtlety is key.
– Works well with **size 12-16 hooks**.
### **Medium Eyes (6mm – 8mm)**
– Versatile for **general trout flies** like damsel nymphs and buzzers.
– Provides a balanced **buoyancy-to-weight ratio**.
– Suitable for **size 8-12 hooks**.
### **Large Eyes (9mm – 12mm)**
– Perfect for **bigger streamers and Booby patterns**.
– Creates a **strong disturbance**, attracting aggressive trout.
– Best paired with **size 4-8 hooks**.
For **stillwater fishing**, larger eyes help keep the fly suspended, while in **rivers**, smaller eyes prevent excessive drag.
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## **3. Selecting the Best Colours for Maximum Attraction**
Trout are highly visual predators, so choosing the right **eye colour** can significantly impact your success.
### **Natural Colours (Black, Brown, Olive)**
– Mimics real prey like **midges, nymphs, and small fish**.
– Best for **pressured waters** where trout are wary.
### **Bright & Flashy Colours (Red, Orange, Chartreuse, Silver, Gold)**
– Increases visibility in **murky water** or low light.
– Triggers **aggressive strikes** from territorial trout.
### **UV & Glow-in-the-Dark Eyes**
– Effective in **deep or stained water**.
– Great for **early morning or late evening** sessions.
**Pro Tip:** Match the eye colour to the fly’s body—natural tones for imitative patterns and bright colours for attractor flies.
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## **4. Fly Tying Techniques for Booby Eyes**
Properly securing Booby Eyes ensures durability and the right action in the water.
### **Foam Booby Eyes (Floating Flies)**
1. **Positioning:** Place eyes near the **hook bend** for a balanced float.
2. **Securing:** Use strong **UV resin or super glue** to prevent slippage.
3. **Wrapping:** Reinforce with **thread wraps** before adding a final coat of resin.
### **Weighted Eyes (Sinking Flies)**
1. **Placement:** Attach eyes at the **front** for a jigging motion.
2. **Thread Lock:** Secure with **tight thread wraps** and a whip finish.
3. **Coating:** Apply **epoxy or head cement** for extra durability.
**Bonus Tip:** For added realism, combine **dumbbell eyes with foam eyes** to create a suspending fly.
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## **5. Recommended Booby Eyes from KyleBooker**
At **KyleBooker**, we offer **high-quality Booby Eyes** in various sizes and colours to suit every fly-tying need:
– **Premium Foam Eyes** – Ultra-buoyant & durable.
– **Weighted Metal Eyes** – Perfect for jigging flies.
– **UV-Enhanced Eyes** – Ideal for low-light conditions.
Check out our latest collection to elevate your fly-tying game!
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## **Final Thoughts**
Choosing the right **Booby Eyes** for trout flies involves balancing **size, colour, and tying technique** to match fishing conditions. Whether you’re targeting stillwaters or rivers, the right eyes can turn an average fly into a **trout-catching machine**.
Experiment with different combinations, and don’t be afraid to test bold colours in stained water or subtle tones in clear streams. With **KyleBooker’s** premium fly-tying materials, you’ll have everything you need to craft **winning trout flies** every time.
**Tight lines and happy tying!** 🎣
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