Fly Goddess,
That’s a great picture. I’ve never been out west, but when I see pictures like that, I want to go so badly!!
wow! I hadn’t realized that john’s wife linda had died. the family had my sincere condolences and prayers for comfort during a difficult time.
mgj
Ok, Here it is for those struggling a little with tying this fly.
The written tying instructions, Wahooooo!!!
Hope this doesn’t thoroughly confuse ya.
Diamond Hair Streamer
AKA JR?S BAITFISH
SHAD
Hook: Gamakatsu SC15 #1-2/0 (Very Important to use this hook when tying this pattern, it is the right weight and has the required short shank to avoid the material from wrapping around and fowling the fly)
Thread: 6/0 Uni White
Bottom: ADH Pearl/Green (Arizona Diamond Hair)
Top: Successive layers of ADH Silver Minnow, ADH Light Silver, ADH Peacock
Eyes: 3D Holographic Silver, Red or Yellow (#2 hook use a 2.5mm size eye, & #1/0 hook use a 3mm eye)
Weight: 15 wraps of lead (appropriate size for hook) covered with Mylar
Tying Instructions
This fly is tied with all materials tied in and pointing towards the hook eye. After tying in all the material, it is then pulled back over the hook shank and super glued down.
- Install 15 wraps of lead (Lead size: appropriate for hook size), cover lead wraps with Mylar. Attach thread behind hook eye and turn hook upside down. Bring thread back 1/4".
- Separate a small amount of ADH Pearl/Green. The material will be tied down in the middle of the clump, pulled back over itself and tied down. At this point you need to cut the material to a suitable length for the size of hook you’re using.
- Pull the fibers between your thumb and first finger to align them laying in the same direction. This is a little unruly at first but becomes easier after some practice. Any stray fibers can be cut and put back in the pile. Nothing is wasted.
- As I mentioned above, tie the material in the middle up behind the eye of the hook. Fold the rearward facing clump forward over itself and tie down so all the tips are facing over the eye of the hook.
- Turn hook over to do the top. Bring thread back a bit and tie in a small clump of Peacock ADH in the middle with the tips facing forward over the eye of the hook. Fold it over itself and tie it down again.
- Bring thread back and tie in a small clump of Light. Silver ADH. Fold material back over itself and tie down again.
- Bring thread back and tie in a slightly larger clump of Silver Minnow ADH. Bring clump back over itself and tie down again. Do not tie off. Just add a drop of super glue and trim the thread.
- At this point all the materials are tied down facing with the tips forward. There is one color below and three colors above.
- Pull the fibers back over the hook shank. It is easy to separate the colors because the Peacock is next to the Pearl/Green. Material is now pointing in the proper direction to finish the fly.
- At this point adjust the fibers to the shape head you desire and apply a thin coat of 5 second fingernail glue with the brush applicator. I do the bottom first, pulling the fibers back and then gluing it right to the hook shank. This keeps the fiber below the fly from fouling when casting.
- Turn the fly over and form the head shape you desire and apply nail glue.
- Attach 3D molded eyes to the side of the fly with tweezers and re-coat with nail glue again.
-
Apply a small Shoulder Spot (Black Dot) 1/2" behind and slightly above center of the eye with a Permanant Black Marker(Sharpie).
*Just a note for those that tie this pattern without the Lead Weight, the ADH Material is non-porous and when a few false casts are completed it will want to float on top of the water. I have had fish strike at the fly while it’s floating on the surface and completely miss getting hooked. John Rohmer says “He now ties all his flies with the weight installed” unless he specifically wants a streamer without weight.
This Pattern was featured in the summer 2004 Edition of Southwest Fly Fishing Magazine. It includes step by step tying instructions with full color photos of each step.
akalooker
[This message has been edited by akalooker (edited 28 February 2006).]
Thanks Aka looker, for everything and I am going to tie some of your flies. Sometimes nothing better than a good bait imitation and yours are some of the best I have seen.
(by the way, my teeth are normal, the picture makes it look like I just ate a cheese sandwich or something LOL)
Agreed, those flies look too good to not have in my box so I called Arizona and ordered the necessary materials. I’m dying to try some of these for local big browns as well as pike.
Curious about the 5 second fingernail cement, however. Is there a name brand or something I can ask for at the local Revco? I don’t speak “fingernail”, I guess…
AKALooker, Have you ever tried Gatrside Soft Hackles? They will have the same effect in the water. I have several baitfish patterns and I really like yours. I will be tying some up. Also have you ever used that Softex? I have some different material that I would like to try like Unique Hair,Shimmer, Midge Flash, Marabou Hair, sparkle hair, etc. Also, Have you ever tried a few Peacock Herls the length of the fly, over the top?
Thanks,
Joni
she who dies with the most toy’s wins.
AKALooker, Have you ever tried Gatrside Soft Hackles? They will have the same effect in the water. I have several baitfish patterns and I really like yours. I will be tying some up. Also have you ever used that Softex? I have some different material that I would like to try like Unique Hair,Shimmer, Midge Flash, Marabou Hair, sparkle hair, etc. Also, Have you ever tried a few Peacock Herls the length of the fly, over the top?
Thanks,
Joni
she who dies with the most toy’s wins.
In response to Fly Goddess,
I Haven’t tried Gartside soft hackles.
Glad you find these streamers to your liking, when you use them you’ll no longer like them, you’ll love them, buckle up and maintian a firm grip on the rod. Hehehehe!!!
I have used softex, but don’t like to weight the nose of the fly to much.
Streamers of this type lend well to other materials, and you can go crazy tying up new creations.
But the Arizona Diamond Hair moves in the water with such undulation without human manipulation fish can,t resist it. Tie it on a short leader and stick it in the Jacuzzi or tub with a little current flow and watch it go!!!
I have tied many patterns with Peacock hurl in them either as a lateral line or as you mentioned on top of the fly, but fish hit and try and kill these flies so hard the peacock breaks off everytime.
The following photo shows two flies that have been mouthed a little by some freshwater inhabitants, they just try to chew them up.
I love it when I hear back from friends and others just introduced to this fly, about how they almost had their rods ripped out of their hands or got burns from the fish pulling line through their fingers. I just laugh and “say I told”, well never mind, you know how that line finishes. Hahahaha!!!
akalooker
hey AKAlooker!! That looks like a nice little hybrid Striper you have there. Am I nuts or are the bars broken up on that fish? We only have a few places here with “Wipers” that I know of, they’re a hybrid between white bass, and stripers. Good looking streamer too. Keep it up man, and have fun
drolfson,
Ok! you twisted my arm, What does it take to do a fly of the week?, I’m willing.
I have posted the photos of the fly, the fly recipe and the written step by step tying instructions.
Do I need to do step by step tying photos?
Please let me know and where do I post it?
Thanks for everyone’s kind words.
Terry
LigonierA1,
When you tie your first fly or two with the ADH material, you’ll feel like you have all thumbs, but don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it after the first few.
I caught fish on my first ones, probably because they looked so bad they resembled wounded baitfish. LOL!
I use several different kinds, it’s all basically just superglue. Zap a Gap works or just ask the girls at the makeup counter for some fingernail glue, they may snicker a little as the lead you to it, but you laugh everytime you hook a great fish. It costs about $2-$3 bucks a bottle.
akalooker
bwagner,
You caught me! after typing up the post, I realized I listed my freinds fish as a Wiper and was just trying to avoid going back to change it.
You’re right, it’s really a White Bass. I love your attention to detail! Hehehehe!!!
Now, call and get some of that ADH material and put a few flies in your box for you next trip.
If you just don’t have time to tie them up yourself or want a fly to copy, I’m sure they have some or can order you a few.
akalooker
Just an FYI for those tying this fly.
The Gamakatsu SC15 hook is absolutely the best hook for this pattern. I’ve tried others but this hook is the proper diameter, shape and weight for this fly.
Terry
akalooker;
To do a Fly of The Week, take pictures of each step of the tying process and then submit those along with your instructions to publisher@flyanglersonline.com (LadyFisher) and before you know it, you will see it show up in the weekly list of articles and you will be famous! Or something like that. 
Thanks again for sharing all of this info! It really is awesome!
Don
What do you mean by “and you will be famous!” Terry is already famous (or infamous) to everyone who frequents the “for sale” board. He sells more gear that I want than anyone else in the history of FAOL. He is great to deal with everytime I have bought something from him and now he adds this amazing fly to the recipe database. Kudos to Terry.
I for one would love to see step by step photo’s for at least one of the bunch of ADH. As I understand it tie in the middle of the bunch of ADH with the tips over the hook eye. The fold the butts over the eye and tie down. Trim the butts shorter if you want. When all bunches of hair are tied in you push them back over the shank with glue being the only thing holding them back in that position.
I do not yet have ADH and did a trial with polarfiber and superglue with with some success. I apologize if I am too stupid to understand your directions
AKALOOKER:
Hope you are getting a commission on the materials. I just call AZ Flyfishing and ordered all the colors they carry. That Arizona Diamond Hair looks like great stuff.
FrankB, I don’t mind at all (it’s all true LOL) Us musicians have to stick together 
she who dies with the most toy’s wins.
AKA…
The current issue of “Fly Fisherman” has an article on the “Super Mushy” pattern . How do you think it compares to yours…besides using Soft Body?
Sorry I was so interested in this streamer when you posted the pics of your boxes. I guess it is your fualt for posting them The reason I asked was I was looking for a similar pattern but you posted this cool one. Haven’t used any of the ones I tied using different materials but its on my “to do” list.
“Just when I’ve caught a nice trout and feeling very proud of my fly fishing ability, my feet fly out from under me and there I sit, wet, flustered and properly humiliated by the Fly Fishing gods.”
Jimmy Moore, “Taken Down a Notch or Two”
[This message has been edited by irondragon013 (edited 23 February 2006).]
mickmcco,
Nope, no commision at all, just the satisfaction that a few of my FAOL Family Members are tying up one of the sweetest streamer flies I’ve ever seen or used, and are gonna catch some awesome fish with this pattern.
ducksterman,
I haven’t seen the current issue yet, been a liiiiittle busy with my 19 year old daughter. Man, it’s like fighting a 10lb + Bonefish, not sure if I’m gaining line or not!
I’ll try and look it up or get the new issue and let you know.