Hi All. I have a problem that I’m hoping to get some suggestions to solve. Much to my better half’s teasing, my weighted flys are rolling over and “dying” on me. I thought and still think that the lead wrap is the culprit, but now I’m not sure. The fly is the Clouser Nymph, and the recipe calls for 15 wraps of 025 on the base, and 5 additional wraps on top at the thorax. This happens on a Mustad #6 R74 4X, and a #6 TMC 200R, so I don’t think it is the hook. I am using 2X tippet, and attach the fly with a Kreh Non Slip Mono. The loop comes out fine and the fly has a lot of movement. I still catch fish with it, but it just isn’t right. Any suggestions to try?
Thanks,
Bob
Bob,
I think it’s the subtle bend in the 200r that could be the problem. If you get too much weight on the center of gravity it will flip over due to that slight hump. More weight on the front of the fly might help and try not to weigh the mid too much.
Jeff
Hi JG. Thanks for the tip on the 200R. That could be a possibility, and I can move the weight forward some. It fly is a heavyweight, but that is what Clouser calls for, and it really does get down in the faster water. I did have the same problem with the R74 Mustad however, so I don’t think I’m doing something right. I will try your advice on the curved hook version.
Bob
Hi Bob,
You will find that most if not all heavily weighted flies will ride upside down and there is nothing you can do to get them to ride “normally”. It doesn’t have anything to do with the type of hook you are using and has everything to do with gravity. The heaviest part of the fly will always wan’t to be “on the bottom”.
Jamie
[url=http://www.jamiescustomflies.com:84dbb]Jamie’s Fly & Tackle Shop[/url:84dbb]
Arent those tied specifically like that? The colors that are on top are tied on the bottom and the bottom color on top so when they flip they are right?
Hi Parrot. Not this one. The Minnow yes, I suppose I would get an Attaboy on that, but as far as I can see the nymph should ride point down. Always fun to figure out, I’m hoping someone else has been thru it and has a suggestion.
Bob
Some hooks with curve shanks will flipover, due to “Center of Gravity” (center point where the fulcrum or balance of the fly hook would be centered.
Most cased this is due to the curve in the hook shank, of the hooks design.
~Parnelli
I usually counter-weight them. Run a strip of lead along the bottom of the shank and tie the wire rib on the bottom as well, the full length of the shank. Works for me, even with curved nymph hooks.
Hi All! Thanks for all your input. I also contacted Bob Clouser, and what he said basically supports all of your experiences as well. He said in his experience when the weight exceeds the keel weight of the hook you will most likely get a rollover on the fly. I guess the short answer is “you are using too much lead!” Anyway, armed with this knowledge I have tied a couple of new flies to experiment with - always a learning experience, and that’s good! I’ll post one more time with the results, but now I have a better idea of what to not do.
Good Fishing!
Bob
Hey Bob,
Try lead tape as well. You can cut it into thin strips with a razor blade or a disc type paper cutter. (and I mean thin, like the diameter of the hook shank). Now you can layer it on the botton of the hook shank or on the sides and build up a nice body but keep the weight on the bottom side of the hook. You can create nice tapers this way as well if you keep using shorter and shorter pieces…
Or I will lash your standard round lead to the sides of the hook as well. Cut the ends at an angle to aid tying in. (sorry, was never a fan for winding lead on, too many types my thread would get caught or nicked in the wraps).
Jeff
This may sound obvious, but how about just tying them upside down? I’d rather have the hook point ‘up’ anyway, to avoid snags on the bottom.
Just a thought.
Semper Fi!
Try a hook w/a turned up eye. A TDE hook will usually turn turtle, especially when weighted.