…I’ve tied up. Don’t be too critical, I’m just throwing these up (and they may actually LOOK like “throw-up”) on here in case something catches your eye and looks like something you’d want to tie for your own use.
First up is my version of Ian James’ Blue Thunder. I didn’t have the required purple Flashabou at the time, so I improvised with some pearl Krystal Flash under purple bucktail for the wing. My thought was to get close to the color and flash provided by the original recipe. The fish approved, I caught a BUNCH of rainbows and brookies with it on its “maiden voyage”.
Forgive me for this…its my very first attempt at a Copper John:
Next up is a couple of Bitch Creek nymphs in Orange and in Yellow. Rather than the weaved version, after tying in the rubber “legs” (and non-lead wire),I tied in 2 pcs of black chenille, then the lighter-colored chenille, and left the thread hanging off the hook bend. I wrapped the light-colored chenille to the thorax, then pulled the 2 black pieces of chenille over the top, and tied it down with a few thread wraps up to the thorax. Then I finished the front of the fly as usual.
This last one is a Chernobyl Ant/Hopper…I usually put a 2nd small orange piece of foam over the back leg joint as I did with the front one.
I use a “No-Knot Fas-Snap” to attach flies to my tippet, so changing is quick and easy. I use the medium size, and last time out I noticed this pattern not floating quite as well as I wanted it to. So, I tied some of these up with a variation. When I tied on the first layer of foam to the hookshank, I left it a bit long out over the eye of the hook. When the rest of the fly was completed, I pulled the extra foam back over the front end of the fly and tied it down over the front leg section…then clipped off the extra foam. This provides a slightly larger head area that I think will float better and more than offset the extra weight caused by the No-Knot Fas-Snap.
I haven’t taken any pictures of it yet, but will plan to do that soon…plus I can’t wait to try it out!
I like the looks of that bucktail streamer. I’ve used the no knot snaps for trolling streamers all the time, but have never tried casting with them. I’ve been told by a few people that they’ve had problems using the no knots for casting. Just curious what size no knots do you use most commonly and with what size flies?
I use the Medium size. I have no problems casting with them. I typically use size 12 to size 8 hooks, occasionally 6’s and on rare occasions up to size 2. I used to use the Small size No-Knots…but I did have a few issues with those bending out too easily, and did cast off a few flies with that size. I’ve caught numerous fish that ended up getting hooked on the No-Knot instead of the hook. It happens.
I DO like using them, and even started using them for ice-fishing last year. Sure makes changing flies/ice-fishing jigs fast-n-easy!
Here’s a couple of nymph/attractor patterns…the first one used some black mylar Bodi-Braid (or similar product) for the abdomen:
The second one used some craft fur I clipped from a fake “Coonskin Cap” my kids had laying around…and some dyed mallard flank for the wing/legs"
And here’s my go at Charlie Craven’s “Gonga” and “Double Gonga”…the patterns for which were in one of last month’s fly-fishing or fly-tying magazines (I forget which one):
Good looking flies David. Charlies Gonga looks like a killer. I have had good luck on my variation For bigger trout,bass and catfish. I inverted the hook.
The variations I employed include using bright red/orange thread to tie in the mylar tubing near the hook bend, and before I had the purple Flashabou, I substituted pearl Krystal Flash over the white kiptail…and then topped that with a small amount of purple bucktail.
“iaflyfisher” gave me a bit of purple Flashabou, so I’ve since tied up a few with the prescribed material.
THANKS!!! I’m in meetings all day today,Friday - bad news, but good news - my laptop will mysteriously surf to those sites from time to time. I’m safe, none of my admin view this site or even anything close!!
Mike
