I just tied some bead head mini-zonkers using Pine Squirrel Zonker strips. To me they look very nice being about half the size of my previous ones. I used 3XL size 10 hooks.
Before I load up on some variations, has anyone tried these miniatures. Do they work?
Thanks
Love to see them.
On new patterns, I always tie two (the just in case)
If it doesn’t do anything after a couple outings, I will strip the hook and move on.
Ray -
Except for the beadhead, sounds like it might be quite similar to the PSC ( Pine Squirrel Cheater ) that was FOTW a few weeks ago. If you didn’t see that one, take a look and let us know. Follow the link.
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2009/fotw20090921.php
John
i tie a fly quite similar to this on a #10 tiemco 200R with a bead head. john, it ends up looking quite like your pine squirrel cheater. it is very effective on warmwater species and it catches trout like mad too. great little fly.
I tie three sizes of squirrel to immitate leeches and and maybe damsel nymphs and sculpin like minnows. I’ve just used olive so far but want to check out some other colors. Makes a killer leech pattern.
I doubt they’ll work. Send them to me.
I tie a similar fly in lots of different colors and sizes. The different thing is to put a big bead, usually salmon egg size (6mm or so) in the middle, but hide it a little… Tie the zonker in and tie off the thread behind the bead after building a shoulder for it to sit back against.
Then reattach the thread in front of the bead and build a shoulder there to keep the bead about mid-shank. Tie the strip down in front of the bead and make a wrap and finish.
When fished, the bead creates a lot of action much as the Clouser does. A little lift on the line and the fly dances… I also tie a segmented version.
art
No, I’ve never used them, but I’d sure like to. How about a picture or two?
They sound great.