Bendback Siliclone Baitfish Saltwater Hook : Mustad 34011 or other commercial long shank or bendback hook sizes 8 up to 5/0. Thread : White & red 3/0. Tail : White Bucktail 4 pieces pearl Krystalflash. Head : Wool Fleece - dyed red, Diluted silicone coating (Mineral Turps dilutes Clear Silicone), Stick on prism eyed. .
Tying Instructions 1) Lay a bed of thread full length from hook eye to start of bendback. 2) Tie in a small bunch of white bucktail on top of hook shank, length of bucktail should extend past hook. 3) Tie in a few strands of Krystalflash. 4) Tie in a second medium clump of white bucktail in front of the bucktail used in step 2. 5) Spin and trim fleece to form head, first fleece tied in ensure tips face rear of fly. Subsequent additions of fleece can be trimmed both ends prior to tying in. 6) You can dilute you silicone in mineral turpentine or use as is. Place on finger tips and stroke over trimmed fleece head. You can use a brush with the diluted silicone. 7) Prior to last costing of silicone (it can take several) Add on your prism stick on eyes. Then wet fingers in container of water and dishwashing liquid and smooth down silicone. 8) Take last drops of silicone and spread a thin layer over fleece and bucktail towards hook point. This will act as weed guard. Ensure it dries correctly to form desired shape. 9) Repairs caused by sharp toothy critters is as simple as a little more diluted silicone applied in the right places.
Fly Notes The pattern, of US origin, was original designed by Bob Popovics for Northern Pike. I have used the pattern for Giant Trevally, cobia and kingies, plus reef fish like coral trout and jobfish. also pelagics such as wahoo and mackerel. Would like to try it out on those Tinaroo barramundi, maybe with a glass rattle in it, or tied in green and orange like a big tree frog. You could weight this pattern to get deep, mess about with the shape to give different swimming profiles and actions. Even give it a diving or swagger silicone lip.
Fishing Notes Shock tippets for the barra as is standard for those sharp gill plates. The yo-yo retrieve is my standard presentation of this fly. Adding a bit of foam to fly head base I use a sinking line. On stripping the fly dives down, on the pause between strips the fly pops up a little. The opposite applies too when cast on a floating line, the fly is allowed to sink and on stripping moves up the water column, then on the pause sinks a little more. Target species include, Saratoga. Barramundi, Mangrove jack, Mackerel, Giant trevally, most tropical species.
Location Notes This is a snag proof weed sang buster fly. Cast this into a tree it should never hook up by the hook point. Northern freshwater lagoons and billabongs. Estuary system snags, offshore reefs too. This is a very versatile fly. Combination of material and colours allow fly to be use lots of places representing lots of different prey species.
Prey Notes Baitfish, frogs, small animals. All depends on materials, their colours & presentation.
Tier Richard Carter

|   AFS Home   |   Swaps   |   Fly Box   |   Search   |