The Articulated tying class wrapped up this past Wednesday. During the past four weeks we really had a great time tying some really cool patterns. Big, articulated "meat" flies are fun to tie and even more fun to fish. Having a class based on these type of flies was a new venture for us and we think it was a huge success. When setting up this class we wanted to chose patterns that could be fished in our local waters and had crossover between Trout, Smallmouth and Salt Water species. We also wanted the class to have some diversity in fly design. One of the most important features in Articulated fly design is the head of the fly. We chose four very different head designs on four very different, but very effective patterns.
In week one we tied Kelly Galloup's Pearl Necklace. This fly employs a Fish Skull for a head and lots of marabou in the tail. I have had good success with this fly on both Smallmouth and Trout. I have not fished it in the salt yet, but I am confident this fly will be right at home in the maw of a big 'ole Striper.
In week one we tied Kelly Galloup's Pearl Necklace. This fly employs a Fish Skull for a head and lots of marabou in the tail. I have had good success with this fly on both Smallmouth and Trout. I have not fished it in the salt yet, but I am confident this fly will be right at home in the maw of a big 'ole Striper.
Week two had us tying another Galloup pattern, the T&A. This pattern uses a stacked wool head and tons of marabou on both the front and rear hooks. Great for a wide profile bait fish like juvie Trout, Fallfish, Mullet or Bunker,.TThe colors of this pattern are limited only by the tyers imagination.
We may have pushed the envelope a little on week three and we tied a triple articulated beast from the mind of Rich Strolis. The Juggernaut, while easy to tie is not for the faint of heart. At a full 7" long this fly is definitely a "big fly big fish" candidate, but because of the design it is surprisingly light and easy to cast. The new Fish Mask was used on our fly, this may be my favorite new product form the Flymen company.
Our forth and final pattern was another Galoup pattern called the Boogie Man. This Was my most consistent Smallmouth pattern this summer and I have been having some success with it on local Trout, in a scaled down version. This fly swims like crazy and has an action like no other articulated streamer I have seen to date. The Mallard Flanks on the top of the fly give it the sick swimming action. The original pattern is tied with a wool head like the T&A series. We decided to change the head to a stacked deer hair head to add another dimension to the class.
Here is a video I shot of the Boogie Man moving through the water. You can really see the tail action of this fly here.
Below is a slideshow of the pictures taken from the four classes. I hope the guys in the class had as much fun attending the class as I did instructing it. It was truly a humbling experience to have people come out and watch me tie, an experience I am thankful for. Thank you to all that attended, I appreciate the support!
For more information about our tying classes click here. Our Winter Classes are beginning to fill, reserve your spot now so you can tie with us all winter long.
Tight lines...
Tight lines...
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