"The Sultry Shiner

The Sultry Shiner
By Joe J. Warren, Carson, WA

A smaller version of its cousin the Sultry Shad, the Sultry Shiner is a baitfish pattern I recently originated for bass that is suitable for any large piscivore (fish eater). The pattern is tied on a stinger hook which has a light wire and wide gap making it well-suited for beads. The Super Hair used on this pattern complements the beads by having a similar glow effect with light and forms a nice minnow-shaped fly. The hair fibers can be shaped to form the body by applying tension when tying the tail. The tighter you pull the Super Hair, the more streamlined the body will be; a slack pull creates a deeper-bodied fly. If you want to highlight certain parts of the fly with parr marks or spots use a black permanent marker. To firmly secure the rear beads I recommend using the bead lock technique.

The fly is well-balanced, rides upright, and does not drop or dip as a dead weight does. In fact, it sort of hovers on the pause of a retrieve. Attach the fly with a loop knot to allow it freedom of movement, and fish it with radical rod twitches to imitate an injured baitfish. ~ Joe J. Warren

Materials: The Sultry Shiner

THREAD: Translucent Thread, fine.

SNOUT/HEAD: Two gold (sl) beads, medium; one gold (sl) bead, large.

BODY: Three to five gold (sl) beads, large.

BELLY: Green/chartreuse Super Hair.

TOPPING: Light green and olive (sparse) Super Hair.

EYES: Yellow Lazer Eyes, small or medium, glue with Marine Goop.

TAIL: Use olive 6/0 thread and tie off hair fibers about 1/2 to 3/4 inch back from end of hair tips and Super Glue.

Note: This pattern is two to three inches in length.

Tying Instructions: The Sultry Shiner

1. Pinch the barb flat and slide on 2 medium beads followed by 4 or 5 large beads. Advance the first three beads to the eye. Leave a space at least one bead length between the third and fourth beads. Tie in the thread behind the third bead and cover the shank with tight wraps.

2. Apply the bead locking technique by crossing with the thread underneath the beads, over and around the shank several times at the back of the beads.

3. Advance the thread forward with two wraps between each bead until finishing at the tie-in point. Use your forefinger to keep the beads in place as you wrap the thread.

4. Rotate the fly upside down and tie in the Super Hair fibers (about 3 inches long) for the belly. Return the fly to right-side up and add the topping, light fibers first and dark fibers last. Whip finish and trim.

5. Remove the fly from the vise. While clamping down with thumb and fingers to hold the fibers in place, grasp the fly at the side angle and pull the fibers back to form the shape of a minnor.

6. Tie in the thread by trappng the tag end with your thumb and wrap the thread four or five times with your free hand.

7. Grasp the fibers on each side of the thread allowing the bobbin to hand freely. Move your hands in small circular motions to twirl the thread around the fibers. This will form tight thread wraps. Whip finish the thread and trim.

8. Place the fly [back] into the vise and glue on the eyes where the Super Hair fibers are tied in place concealing the thread wraps. Add a drop of Super Glue to thread wraps at the tail and trim ends of the fibers to shape the tail. ~ Joe

Credits: The Sultry Shiner is just one of the many creative flies using beads for every kind of fly you can think of in, Tying Glass Bead Flies by Joe J. Warren, published by Frank Amato Publications.

For more great flies, check out: Beginning Fly Tying, Intermediate Fly Tying and Advanced Fly Tying.