Lesson 6 - Wet Flies
Tying George Cook's Patterns (in this case, The Popsicle)
Tied by Ronn Lucas, Sr.
George Cook popularized a series of flies that
consist primarily of different colors of marabou.
Many Tyers are petrified with fear at the thought
of using marabou for flies. It has a pretty well
deserved reputation as being one of the hardest
materials to control during the tying process.
There are, as is the case with most tying, several
ways to use these wonderful yet stubborn feathers.
They can be tied in by their tips and wrapped
forward, pulling each turn back so the next doesn't
trap any of the preceding turn's barbs. While this
method works and looks good, the fluffy barbs tend
to go in all directions. The Tyer can dampen each
turn to hold them in place. Or, you can do as I
will show you.
I use what I call the "clump" method much like I use
with Gocha. With this method, using marabou, it is
quicker and you can control the length of the marabou
where using it as a hackle, you are at the mercy of
the shape and size of the feather.
Let's get going, George is waiting!
Tying The Popsicle, a George Cook pattern
Tied by Ronn Lucas, Sr.
Hook: Mustad 79580 or Tyer's choice.
Thread: Tying thread black, head, red.
Body: One clump of orange marabou with gold
and purple Flashabou, Crystal Flash or, Crystal Cloth,
a little further up the hook, bright red marabou.
Collar: Purple schlappen hackle or marabou (as
used here).
1. Pinch out the center of the orange marabou as shown.
2. Tie in the marabou with the first turn of thread being
a "soft loop" which will spin the barbs around the hook.
Pull tight on the second turn.
3. Tie in two or three strands of the tinsel. I tie in
two of each tinsel in the middle so, I end up with eight
strands in the finished fly.
4. Advance the thread some and tie in the red marabou
in the same manner as the first. Remove the tip as before.
5. Tie down the marabou well as shown.
6. Advance the thread some but well behind the hook
eye and attach the purple collar as before.
7. Tie off the marabou and, trim waste.
8. Switch to the red thread for the head and finish the head.
Showgirl, George Cook, tied by Ronn Lucas, Sr.
Hook: Mustad 79580 or Tyer's choice.
Thread: Red.
Body: Cerise Marabou over which are a few
strands of purple Flashabou or Crystal Cloth as used here.
Collar: Purple Schlappen or marabou as used here.
Head: Red.
This is the first of George's series of marabou flies
that include the Tequila Sunrise, Popsicle, Candy Cane
and, Pixie's Revenge.
I believe George ties his flies with the marabou tied
in as a wing (on top of the hook shank).
Tequila Sunrise, George Cook, tied by Ronn Lucas, Sr.
Hook: Mustad 79580 or Tyer's choice.
Thread: Red.
Body: Pink marabou over which are a few strands
of orange Krystal Flash or similar material followed
by Salmon-orange marabou again followed by the Krystal Flash.
Collar: Red schlappen or marabou as used here.
Head: Red.
Green Alaskabou, George Cook, tied by Ronn Lucas, Sr.
Hook: Mustad 79580 or Tyer's choice.
Thread: Red.
Body: Florescent green marabou with green
Flashabou, Krystal Flash or Crystal Cloth as used here.
Collar: White saddle hackle with fluff or marabou
as used here.
Head: Red.
As always, I am happy to answer any questions you might have
about these patterns. You can reach me at
rlucas@cybcon.com or 503-654-0466.
Also, I will be happy to accept any flies you would like to tie
and send to me for inclusion in this series. I will need the
fly, it's recipe, any pattern info and, a short personal bio.
I will try to include every fly we get in the appropriate
section. The only limitation is that the patterns used must
be for Salmon and/or Steelhead. This includes the display
flies too.
Happy Trails! ~ Ronn Lucas, Sr.
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