Carnage Hopper (variation) SBS

[ScottP]

Have you thought of laying a strip of foam along the needle and wrapping the foam on top of that strip to strengthen the body? Just a thought.

Worth a shot. I'll hit the vise when we return from a trip back to VA in 10 days

BTW, boxes make great kindling.

Regards,
Scott

[ScottP]

in the smaller sizes (#12 and down) using the 1mm foam they proved to be somewhat fragile (the larger 2mm foam version was much more durable), with the extended body tearing off on a number of occasions. Not going to give up on it yet, but if I can't find a way to strengthen it up without adding time to the tying process, I may just stick to the bigger ones for this pattern

Part 1


Had an epifanny in Home Depot







now I'm tying tube fly hoppers










just hold the foam strip against the tube, apply a lot of Super Glue to the foam (no need to wax the needle)







wrap foam around tube; since it's not gonna stick to the needle I could really pull the foam tight to get good adhesion (to the tubing, too), and adjust tension to create body taper










slid off the needle slick as whale snot; now I got Carnage on a stick







trim the butt and front tube (not the front foam, yet) and poke a hole in the bottom to slide the hook into







insert hook in vise, start the thread and build up a tying base; forgot to add foam binder strip for more bulk (next time)







coat with Super Glue

[ScottP]

Part 2

slide the body forward, wrap once around with the foam and tie it down













clean, stack, measure a clump of elk hair and tie it in


















take a wider strip of foam and tie in underneath at wing tie-in position













poke a hole in foam where hook eye meets, pull foam up, move thread to hook eye and secure foam with a couple firm wraps













move thread back to wing tie-in position and secure foam on top













add legs and indicator


















trim head foam top and bottom, whip finish, SHHAN and you're done
















Sorry for the ugly orange hopper but I was playing around with some ideas for an October Caddis when inspiration hit. They make heat shrink tubing in 1/16" which would be a little smaller, but I think for hoppers #12-14, I'll use something like Larva Lace or Hareline tubing.




Regards,
Scott

[SMClark]

I like these, but even tho my eyesight is fading, I don't think I'd need an indicator on top of that fly just yet . . . 8^)

[2 Bead Pupa]

Am I the only one that has trouble getting solid hook-ups with an extended body? And I would think that the tube underbody would make it worse.