Here are a couple of new flies I came up with the past couple of days. I have done the folded foam before but the props are new to me. Not sure if others have done things like this before. The props are a little on the large side and a bit heavy but I think if you work them fast enough they will make some noise.
I think the prop you used may be a little heavy. Maybe a light bead, and then a little smaller propeller. You want your popper to float, at least a good part of it. I could be wrong though, the whole thing may float fine. It is a cool idea though, and I like your thinking outside the box. I have the same idea for another type of fly…but haven’t got it together just yet. Try it and let us know how it works for you.
I have done a float test with them in a bowl of water. The foam end of them bobs at the surface. Need to get my hands on some smaller props I guess. Will be throwing them for smallmouth this weekend. Maybe I could go a little bit bigger on the foam. Add more layers or something to get it more buoyancy. Thanks for the reply kelkay!
You are welcome. I hope what I said could help in any way. Also, if necessary you may be able to use a lighter hook. I do not know what you are using, but it is an option. More foam and maybe wrap with dry fly hackle will help hold it up. Also you can use a floatant on it, if you soak it in like water shed. That might not be necessary, but if need be, it is something you could also consider.
Don’t get them floating too high though, the prop needs to be in the water to do any good. In fact I was thinking the prop would be a good way to get the whole bug a little deeper in the surface film where it would make more noise with less effort. I’d try it both ways and let the fish tell you which is best.
Those are some cool flies, I really like the second one. I hope there is enough clearance on the hackle to let the prop sputter. Allow me to share a little hard earned wisdom, don’t troll them from a boat while moving for any distance. I did that on some propped flies several years ago and ruined a leader with twist. I have some fairly large balsa bodies flies with aluminum props I fashioned from a coke can. I made them with the idea of chasing some winter stripers but have never made the trip. The props can be fun, I have made them from aluminum and clear plastic containers but they may twist your line.
Put a very tiny barrel swivel (Spro makes some very small ones with a 30# break rating) at the point in your leader where you tie on your tippet and that will take care of the twist. I first saw it done on some furled leaders Feather-craft makes for streamer fishing and tried it out. Seems to be doing a fine job of eliminating twist issues for me. Also, it’s not how far you are trolling that causes the twist, it’s how fast that usually causes the problem.
Thanks for all the input! I will be trying them out within 24 hrs on some smallmouth bass!
Kelkay and I swapped PM’s on this subject and I promised to send photos of the prop jobs I did a while back. They are pretty basic the smaller fly has a dress makers pin for a prop shaft, the larger a small nail. They have never been used so I can’t tell you how great they are or are not.
You haven’t tried them out yet? They look like they would work good. I had thought of trying the propeller in the front though, and maybe the back too. Thank you very much for posting the pic of your flies. I am thinking tomorrow I will do a bit of work on wood flies…I have had some wood just waiting on me, and I bought a couple of sticks today to use. I was trying to find that model airplane dope stuff, but I went to two stores today and neither one of them carried it. So I am just gonna use another sealer I have from the hobby store instead.
There is one, only one fly pattern in the FAOL Archives, that is a propeller style fly pattern.
Pete’s Prop Fly
/t/the-petes-prop-fly-fly-of-the-week-131/4119
I hope that the Fly Of the Week Pattern helps in your benchside work… ~Parnelli
Before moving to Georgia, I primarily fished for bass with spinning and bait casting equipment so my thinking is somewhat affected by those lures. Look at the Smithwick Devil Horse, the Heddon Torpedo, and similar lures. You can go to the Bass Pro website and see them all I would imagine.
Thanks guys for your ideas. I think the Smithwick Devil Horse is something closer to what I had in mind. I looked at all three patterns. I like the Heddon Torpedo design too. I think I might try something along the lines of all of them, and see what happens. I have already made flies in the past with propellers, and did pretty good with them. That is why I wanted to use them on the wooden flies. If anyone has old fly wood bait pics, I would like to see them, the vintage patterns like Ray Bergman used to use also.
No pics but I have some wooden prop and lipped flies/lures I’ve made n use the best tiny torpedo’s I’ve made n use are not wood but deer body packed tightly on long shanked hooks and the props set back just beyond the bend on extended wire shafts… keeps the weight to a minium and very durable… I carve wooden bodies outta both balsa and bass woods both are light and easy to carve. for lips I like to use old hook boxes alot of the bends and shapes are already molded into them all you need is a pair of scissors…
