Featured Fly - Taramite 2.0

Well I was very excited to get my new hellgrammite pattern up on the blog, but after the past couple weeks, I have tied over 40 for guide trips, and I have made some minor changes to the pattern. I wanted to share it with all of you. Check it out.

Materials:

Hook: TMC 5262 sz. 4

Thread: UNI Thread 6/0 - Black

Eyes: Lead Eyes - Black or Lead

Body: ETO Crittermite Bodies - Black, Olive, Brown

Under Body 1: Ice Dub - Color of Choice

Under Body 2: EP Tarantula .5" Brushes - Color of Choice

Legs: Round Rubber Legs - Black or Brown

Head: ETO Game Changer Tails - Color to Match Body

Step 1: Slide the crittermite body over the hook, then make a short thread base.

Step 2: This is a new step from the first edition, Tie in the game changer tail, about half the length of the tail.

Step 3: Leaving a short space between the hook eye and the lead eyes, tie in the eyes 

Step 4: Tie in the rubber legs to form the pinchers. 

Step 5: Tie in the Hairy Legs.

Step 6: This is a new step from the last one, Dub the body with Ice Dub, figure 8 over the eyes and bring the thread back to the point shown in the picture.

Step 7: Tie in rubber legs on each side.

Step 8: Make only three wraps of the hairy leg brush. Finish the last wrap in front of the eyes.

Step 9: Should look like this from the top, tie down and cut off extra. 

Step 10: Pull the tail forward, and tie off in front of the eyes. 

Step 11: Cut off the little tab, whip finish and cut off. 

Step 12: Using super glue, add a few drops to the head. I also place a drop on my thread to help secure the fly. 

Step 13: Fold the tail over, hold down for about 3 seconds, this will form the head and finish the fly.

 

Bottom View:

Top View:

Fish View:

Featured Fly - Clawdad

OK, so here is a sweet crayfish fly that has been out for a while now. It was first shown to me by my buddies at Mossy Creek Outfitters, it is relatively simple to tie, but moves like a bandit in the water. On top of that, smallmouth love it.

Materials:

Hook: TMC 300 SZ. 4-6

Claws: Clawdad Tails - Multi Colors 

Eyes: Lead Eyes - Large

Body: Variegated Chenille - Color to match Claws 

Legs: Sili Legs - Color to match Claws

Step 1: Poke the hook through the claws and clamp into the vise.

Step 2: Make a nice base of thread, then tie on your lead eyes, clouser style.

Step 3: Tie in your chenille, and move the thread just in front of the hook point.

Step 4: Make 4 wraps with the chenille, and tie off.

Step 5: Pull the claws forward and tie in, move the thread all the way forward.

Step 6: Wrap the chenille forward, figure 8ing around the eyes.

Step 7: Tie down and cut off the extra.

Step 8: Whip Finish and cut off.

Step 9: Make a small thread base behind the eyes.

Step 10: Tie in 4 rubber legs, on top, bottom, and both sides.

Hint: Pull 4 full legs off, fold them in half and cut. Keep them together until all 4 sections are tied in.

Step 11: Whip finish and cut off.

Step 12: Trim the front legs.

Finished Fly:

Schuylkill River - Yeah that was Awesome

Well add three more trips to the books. The river is low and clear, just the way I like it.  You have to be stealthy, but there is nothing like a large bass eating your fly, and watching it do so. A lot of the river is too low to float without dragging your boats, but if you are ok with that, or just want to wade, it is fishing awesome. I had an awesome guide trip on Friday with lots of bass and four musky looks, and one eat. Then Sunday, my dad and little sister came up and it was another great day, I was so excited to show my dad this river, and see him in is element of bass fishing. Then if that wasn't good enough, I repaid the favor of Andy rowing me down the J, and rowed him down the Schuylkill Monday. He was moved by the lack of fishing pressure and the shear number of fish in the river. I put Shane in the back of the boat and he did his best to keep up with Andy, it was a day of many smallmouth, lots of laughs, and some good fishing stories.