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Mustad has more than 100 years of fly hook experience.
Many patterns still retained date back half a century. In spite of this
long experience, Mustad's processes and technology have been
continuously renewed and refined. The study of insects is fundamental
in modern fly fishing, and is therefore an all important criteria in
fly hook design. Mustad has combined entomology and hook
making into a totally new approach to fly hooks. Hooks are
designed to meet specific properties of the insect“s anatomy without
compromising presentation and action in fishing.
Each month Mustad will present a fly here, featuring one of our hooks, complete
with tying instructions and fishing suggestions. When you buy
hooks we hope you will consider Mustad and Partridge first.
Read Al Campbell's review of Mustad Hooks in the Product Reviews
The Flamingo
By Jeff Pierce
The Flamingo is another great fly for Pacific Salmon,
Steelhead and Brown Trout. I have been tying a variation
of this pattern for several years but started tying this
fly with some of the new materials that Hedron recently
introduced. While the hook used is labeled a Deerhair/Stinger
hook for Bass, this hook is also excellent for Salmon and
Steelhead patterns as well. It's very simple to tie and
looks great in the water.
Materials
- Hook: - Mustad Signature C52S BLN (size 2 used here).
- Thread: 6/0 in Hot Pink.
- Body: Hedron's NEW Flashabou Dubbing in Fluorescent Pink.
- Wing: Hedron's NEW Wing n' Flash in Fluorescent Pink.
Tying Instructions:
Step 1. Starting at the eye, wrap a base of thread down the shank of the hook to
where the hook begins to curve around.
Step 2. Form a dubbing loop just in front of the bend, wax your thread and
begin inserting the Pink Flashabou Dubbing into the loop. Once you have
the Flashabou evenly spaced, spin the loop enough to secure the dubbing.
When done correctly, the dubbing loop should be nice and fuzzy with
the Flashabou ½ to ¾ of an inch wide. Wrap the thread forward to
just behind the eye.
Step 3. Begin wrapping your dubbing loop around the hook to
form a nice, shaggy body. Secure with thread when you get
just behind the eye.
Step 4. Cut a piece of Wing n' Flash long enough to extend from
the eye to just past the bend of the hook. Secure this right
behind the eye. If your wing is too long do not use scissors
to cut it. Use your fingers to pull and break the Wing n' Flash
to the proper length. This will give the fly a more natural taper.
Whip-finish the head and you are done.
Fishing Instructions
I named this fly the Flamingo because the color of it
resembles those tacky lawn ornaments. While the Pink
version has been very effective, I have also been tying
a green/chartreuse version as well. This green version
is called the Seasick Flamingo.
The Flamingo has proven to be a very effective fly
for Steelhead and Coho Salmon especially. I have also
caught some King Salmon and large Brown Trout as well
with them. I have found that on certain days, the
Seasick Flamingo has been a better producer, especially
on the Brown Trout and the Steelhead.
My normal fishing technique for this the classic ¾ downstream
presentation. I have found that the Steelhead and Coho love
to take this fly as it speeds up and runs crosscurrent and
also the first few strips straight upstream after the swing.
If the water is deeper and I need to get the fly down, I
will also cast ¾ upstream and throw a few mends into the
line, allowing it to sink a bit. While the fish will take
this fly on the dead-drift, they seem to prefer it as it
speeds up.
The Flamingo and Seasick Flamingo are very easy patterns
to tie and are go to flies when the water is up and running
a bit off color. These new colors from Hedron are great
for tying these attractor flies. The C52S BLN is a great
hook for this pattern with its straight shank and upturned
point angle. The Signature series hooks offer the most
durable premium point fly hooks on the market. This hook
is finished in Black Nickel so it can also be used in
Saltwater as well.
If you fish for Coho, Chum or Chinook Salmon, Brown Trout
or Steelhead give these flies a try. They have been very
good to me and have a permanent space in my fly boxes.
~ Jeff Pierce
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