We had the second Smallmouth tying class last Wednesday. This class really is turning into a bunch of fun. It is nice to teach the actual patterns that we fish on the Brandywine to others so they too can catch with them. We believe the guys in the class feel the same way because the homework we saw this week was great.
Here is Dale's homework. Guess he was listening about the "secret" color.
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Another batch of awesome homework.
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Paul was all over the Swimming Nymph.
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"One Boot" Ed's block. I like the purple tail on the lower right.
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The pattern we tied this week was Scott Howell's Ska-opper. A hybrid fly that combines the waking action of a skater and the chugging action of a popper hence the name Ska-opper. Originally designed as an Atlantic Salmon or Steelhead fly, we have been fishing it successfully for Smallmouth for several years now. Truly a fun way to fish because it is very visual. There is nothing like watching this fly chug and spit it's way across the surface only to see a Smallie blow up on it. Once you catch a few on the Ska-opper you will be "hooked" forever. To hear about the origin of the Ska-opper and see it in action click here.
The second fly we did last week was the Rubber Legs. A simple tie with only 2 materials, chenille and rubber legs. We used verigated chenille for the class fly, but you are only limited to your imagination. One of out great customers, Ed Collins, asked that we combine the Green Weenie and the Rubber legs for him last year. We came up with this and he couldn't be happier.
The second fly we did last week was the Rubber Legs. A simple tie with only 2 materials, chenille and rubber legs. We used verigated chenille for the class fly, but you are only limited to your imagination. One of out great customers, Ed Collins, asked that we combine the Green Weenie and the Rubber legs for him last year. We came up with this and he couldn't be happier.
Like I said colors are only limited to your imagination, but black, brown, olive, and chartreuse seem to be the most popular.
Here are the recipies for both patterns.
Here are the recipies for both patterns.
| Ska-opper Thread ; black / brown Monocord or GSP Hook ; TMC 8090 size 6 or 10 Tag ; Mylar Tail ; Krystal Flash Under body ; Orange sparkle yarn Under body throat ; Orange calf tail Body ; Deer hair stacked and clipped to shape Rubber legs ; brown life flex Back ; Black Evasote | M’s Rubber legs Thread ; 6/0 color to match body Hook ; any 3 or 4xL streamer hook TMC 5263 Weight (optional) ; .025 lead free wire wrapped around the hook shank Body ; Medium chenille, color of choice Legs ; Life flex, color of choice |
This first picture shows all the materials ready to go Note one of the sample flies tied earlier in the day hanging on the bobbin cradle.
In this picture the tag and tail have been added to the hook. Note how the tail is applied so it is angled upwards.
Here we see the legs have been applied, the body has been wrapped and the foam has been put in.
The next series shows the deer hair being applied to the shank. I believe Terry used 4 clumps of hair while tying the class fly. While applying the hair start where the yarn body ends and work your way forward. We used a stacker in class, but this is optional. The stacking and trimming of the deer hair takes as long to complete as the rest of the fly. We spent a fair amount of time in class doing this. When you get the progression down it seems like you can bang one of these out in about 10 to 15 minutes.
And here are the completed flies. I am really excited to see the homework next week, and even more excited to hear the stories when the guys start to fish and catch with this fly.
Tight lines...
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