The body is pretty easy to make. Wrap the lead substitue on the body. The weight should start right behind where you would like the fly head to be and end at a point just above the hook point. Put on a length of Duct Tape and fold it around the hook shank. The tape should be just long enough, on the hook shank, to cover the weight. Take an old pair of scissors and cut the tape, along the bottom of the shank, in the shape of a small minnow.
Another possibility for weight would be to tie on a gold cone head. That would help match the pattern to the actual sleekness of the baitfish.
Using the red thread tie it in above the hook point. Once that is done take a piece of Mylar Tubing and cut it about 1 1/2 times the length of the entire hook. Remove the core from the tubing. Slide the tubing over the hook and shaped Duct tape. Loosen and fray the mylar tubing for about an eight of an inch, at the rear, using a bodkin. Push the frayed end back until the thread is at the point where the mylar is no longer frayed. Holding the frayed mylar bunch it up and tie it down with the red thread. Leave the red thread hanging here. You will need it later.
Go the the point where the head of the fly will be. Tie in some black thread. If the mylar tubing is blocking this point just pull it back on the hook until the area is exposed. Next pull the mylar tubing forward and then play with the tubing and underbody to get a nice little minnow body shape. Bunch up the tubing in front and tie down with the black thread.
Next you need to tie down the rabbit strip. First place the rabbit strip on top of the hook. Using the black thread at the head, tie down the rabbit strip. Clip off the excess in front of the hook. Form a head and whip finish, cutting the thread.
Now move to the rear of the hook and pull the zonker strip tight down over the hook. Determine where the red thread in the back will tie down on the zonker strip. Separate the fur leaving a space for the thread to touch the hide under the fur. Wrap the red thread around this point 5-10 times. All the while making sure the zonker strip is tight. When done make 2-3 half hitches to secure the red thread and then cut it off.
Put a few small dabs of head cement on the red thread and finish the head appropriately.
The rabbit strip should not jut out too far past the bend in the hook. If it is out to far it will wrap around the hook when cast. As mentioned you should never use a cross cut strip. A cross cut strip has the hair flowing from side to side on the strip. It should flow from end to end to get the right body silhouette. |
