synthetic hair minnows for lake and stream

[tws]

greetings all,

I'm interested in crafting some very small synthetic hair minnows for trout and panfish. I'd like to model these on the bob popovic's surf candy and use the exact or similar materials.

see:
[url=http://flyfisherman.com/ftb/ejsurfcandy/:34f56]http://flyfisherman.com/ftb/ejsurfcandy/[/url:34f56]

at any rate at this point i'am just mulling things over. I haven't yet aquired the synthetic hairs, flash or hooks.

my question:

what would be the correct - durable - style hook in size #6 to use? should it be a short shank? a salt water hook? bronze or stainless?

i plan on making these minnows from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches in length.

thanks for any input.

tws

[Red Dawg]

I can't really answer about the Surf Candy in Trout or Panfish sizes. I know that I would look at a size 10 or 12 hook for panfish with the way that fly is made. If you have the materials already, you can tie up clousers or deceivers to serve a very similar purpose as the surf candy. They are proven producers for both trout and panfish in sizes 8-12 and are easy ties without messing with all that epoxy. Just something for you to ponder.

Red Dawg

[LadyFisher]

Al Campbell did one for us using the Popovic method after Bob told us we could use it. You will find it here: [url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/052702fotw.html:e9049]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/052702fotw.html[/url:e9049]

------------------
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL

[James Smith]

I use Polar Fiber synthetic fur to make all sizes of baitfish patterns on hook sizes from 2/0 down to size 10. Great stuff, easy to use and makes a great baitfish pattern.

Jim Smith

[Philly]

I'll use small salt water hooks. The Gamakatsu SC15 is my favorite. If you don't want to go the stainless route. Look for "Drop Shot" or finesse hooks, and there's a Mustad, I believe it's the 3366, that will work. I use size 4 or 6, sometimes even going with a size 2 depending on the hook style, for my minnows in that size range. You be surprised what a trout or panfish can get in its mouth.
A couple of suggestions if you're going to tie them small.
Try to use the finer artificial hairs. Ultra Hair, SuperHair will do but stuff like Slinky Fiber, Enrico's Fibers or Mirror Image is better suited for smaller patterns
Try blending the hair with the flash before tying it in. Takes 10 to 15 minutes to blend a bunch. Lay out a layer of hair, then a layer of flash, and keep alternating until the pack of hair and pack of flash are layered. Roll them up and repeat the process 3 or 4 times. I use a 1 to 1 ratio for fresh and salt water.
I blend PolarFlash or SparkleFlash with the Ultra Hair or Super Hair, and Angel Hair with the Slinky Fiber or Mirror Image. Another benefit of the blending is the material will taper easier when tied in, so you don't have to spend a whole lot of time trimming it to shape.
The Spread Fly LadyFisher pointed out is a wide body fly, if you were going to tie a shad or sunfish imitation then that would be the pattern. For your average minnow or shiner the Surf Candy is a better match.

[tws]

Thanks everyone!

glad you pointed out Al Campbells effort. it is exactly what i had in mind.

thanks also for the heads up on the Gamakatsu salt water hooks.

i've got a fair bit of information on the construction of these little beauties now so i shouldn't have any trouble tying some up...

tws

[lee s]

tws,
Did you see the thread "Not So "Secret" Anymore ! Streamer Fly Pattern Revealed" over on the Fly Anglers online section? Good looking bug there.
Also..... [url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/leesoares/CIMG0457.jpg:a7478]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/leesoares/CIMG0457.jpg[/url:a7478]
The top or bottom bug might interest you. They are both Popovic's creations.
.....lee s.