Cold Water Squid "Fly of the Week #61

"Cold Water Squid"
Pattern originated by Bob Popovics
Text and Photos by Capt. Dave Sutton

Cold Water Squid

Here's a pattern for the cold water fisherman. I was asked to do a few squid patterns for some friends in Wickford, R.I. I tied these in several colors, from white to dark tan. This color is in between those. Just a little tan grizz in the long saddles. The squid can change colors and patterns very rapidly so the color is tied, I think, to satisfy the fisherman more than the fish.

Materials List:

Hook: Mustad 3407 or the longer 34007 1/0 to 3/0.

Thread: Light tan or matching color, Monocord 3/0.

Body: Holographic Mylar Tubing.

Collar: White Hackle, Palmer wound.

Arms: Ten long saddle hackles, ten strands of Pearlescent crystal flash; a touch of white marabou.

Eyes: Always glass, larger than your first choice.

Tying Instructions:

Note: The middle and forward portions are done in 5 minute epoxy, then just before it sets up, wet your fingers, and form the flatness of the two lateral fins found on these critters. The head can just be rotated using the vise, to get a nice round finish over the eyes.

1. Secure the thread at the bend of the hook and tie in a strand of chenille. Any color will do, just enough to make a bump to flair out the long saddles.

2. Select ten saddles about 4" long for a #2/0 hook. Strip the butt ends leaving some of the marabou on them, it acts as a skirt around the bend of the hook. Tie them in just forward of the bump, 2 to 3 at a time to make an even disbursement around the hook. Make sure to head cement after every application.

3. Add your crystal flash so it extends as long as the saddles and is distributed around the hook shank. I also add in a strand of white marabou, on top.

4. Wrap the thread forward, whip-finish off and cut. Match up a piece of Mylar tubing and slide it on, re-tie your thread on and secure the tubing about a half inch from the forward end. This is where the palmer collar is to be added. Tie a white saddle in and palmer wind, then tie off. Wrap forward and build up a head while securing the forward end of the tubing. Whip-finish the head

5. Add the eyes to the body and get ready to epoxy. Apply at least 3 coats of epoxy to the eye's to form a large round head effect. Using your rotary vise, keep spinning until the epoxy sets up. Forward of the palmer wound collar should be done in one blob. ... I wait till the 5 minute epoxy is 4 minutes old and apply quickly, rotating slowly, until a gel forms. The epoxy will not stick to your fingers if you wet them. Carefully form the lateral fins in the epoxy and let dry.

~ Capt. Dave Sutton

Fishing the Fly

As for fishing these little nasties, make sure you use a 9 wt. rod or better due to the flies weight and wind resistance. I don't mean one of those full flex rods either. I'm talking one of those new fast rods. There is a lot of mass to throw, but I'm told it's worth it in hook-ups. Squid swim in a fast, jerky jet-propelled motion. Do the retrieve in fast, jerky strips. It's been a while since I've fished up in cold water, but, from the reports given the pattern works very well.

If you have any questions on tying or fishing this fly feel free to send me an email. ~ Capt. Dave

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