Weedless Wonder

My attempt to tie a weedless fly to get at those "big" ones that inhabit the lilly pads.....
Pat

http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/k...9272010001.jpg


Another one.............

http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/k...9272010001.jpg

I really like it and will definitely put one together. I've thought about weedless flies for those heavy grass snagging areas. I have tried mono for a hook guard with limited success. This looks like it has some promise.

Is the thorax/abdomen made from...soft plastic?

Thanks for posting this.

Richard

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Flymill

I really like it and will definitely put one together. I've thought about weedless flies for those heavy grass snagging areas. I have tried mono for a hook guard with limited success. This looks like it has some promise.

Is the thorax/abdomen made from...soft plastic?

Thanks for posting this.

Richard

---

Richard the body is made out of yarn , wrapped from hook eye to hook bend and then back........ by winding / unwinding you can get somewhat of a "taper " to the body.......... I`m still learning / experimenting........ post some pics of your attempt
Pat

Pat, Here's the pic you asked for. I had fun tying your weedless bug, although I did use a different color. It'll be worth a try in those nasty grass beds. I think the wings will need a bit of adjusting for an effective hook set, so I'll make sure to bring along scissors.

When I get a chance, I'll also add a full size image of your weedless wonder to my fly tying page

Again, thanks for posting it.

Attachment 55460

Very nice tye ! I like the colors, you may have to "adjust " the wing length some to get it to sink at a faster rate, I did.What size hook is that? looks much bigger than what I used

Thanks Pat,

I used a Mustad Size #4 C52S BLN. The majority of my flies are tied on #8 - #10 hooks, but I had "larger fish" in my thoughts when day dreaming about dumping this down a big hole in the grass. I forgot to ask, what Size hook did you use?

Actually, the wings are much too long, and a tad too wide at the top, and are acting as an "aviators Mae West". It floats nice and high, which my not be all bad for top water. I'll leave this one as it is, and use it for dragging it across the top of the grass beds. The next one will have shorter and narrower wings and I will add some lead wire to the hook shank.

I still like your idea, and I believe this lure will produce very well.

Flymill
"I forgot to ask, what Size hook did you use?"

I use 4 -10 too, most on #8 , I`ve caught LM bass with a #8 Clouser

Pat,

I tied this one on a 3X long #10 hook. It sinks as fast as any of my 1/32 crappie jigs. I'm out of #8 hooks, as that would have been my choice, but this will work just fine (just a tad smaller.) The foam is 1.5 mm thick. Tail and legs need to be shortened a bit.

Ok on your choice of hooks for most of your flies. As I get older, my choice of hooks tend to get larger. I use mostly #8 -#10 with a #2, #4, and sometimes a #12. Anything smaller than a #12, my eyes and fingers part company.


Richard


Attachment 55650

Looks good ! lead dumbell eyes? what weight you using? I started catching fish after I put a split shot on the line with my surface bugs.......looking forward to some surface action this spring

Pat,

I bought these eyes at Cablela's. A bit expensive, but JoAnn's doesn't carry these. They come in three diffferent weights..mine are 5/32. I'm not aware of their composition.

Ok on the split shot. I do the same when I'm done with top water. I fish with Ross #6 outfit floating forward line. Top water is my favorite, but I'll get off of it real fast if there's no action. Spring is a great time for top water.

after learning to tie clouser minnows i found out to make the hook ride point up put the dumbell eyes on the bottom of the hook this will help turn the hook point up, or so fly tyers have told me

Huls 1, thanks for your input.

I agree that the general fly tier consensus would be to secure the barbell eyes to assist in turning the hook point up. Clouser Minnows are all tied this way. With this particular lure, I believe that it makes little or no difference. I tied a leader to the lure and tested it for sink rate. The hook point stayed upward at all times while moving it about in the water. I attribute that mainly to the foam wing weed guard, which acts as a floating stabilizer. Also while tying this fly, anchoring the foam weed guard at two points over the eyes made for a fast, neat, and secure tie down as opposed to anchoring directly to the shank. Since it's Pat's creation, he may also have a comment.

Richard