Head Stand Shrimp
Okay, I am just going to start out by letting you know that my photography does not do this fly justice. This fly was designed by Rob McAbee, you know him by now as the Bugslinger guy, and he definitely "designed" this fly. He asked me my opinion on what makes a good redfish fly and I told him the basics. First it must sink fast and land soft, second it must ride hook up, and third it must have a weed guard that works. The last bit of advice was, the fish have to see it. Rob created a fly that sinks quick but is delicate enough to land soft and throw on a 6 or 7 weight. This fly always lands hook up and has a killer weed guard. Rob tested it and when I got it I tested it, if you drop this fly in the water it always falls hook up, hence the name "head stand shrimp". This fly has a vibrate yellow tail and 2 rubber legs, and 2 pieces of flash that give this little critter loads of life. This fly could easily be tied in a whole array of colors that would be geared toward redfish, bonefish, permit, and everything else that eats shrimp. I think it can go unsaid that the quality of this fly is perfect, but what else would you expect from an artist? I photographed this fly outside on the boat mainly because I wanted a background that helps see the detail of this fly. I may have some of the materials a little off but I am going to give you a basic recipe. Tail is a little yellow marabou. The body is ice dubbing with a feather palmered through the dubbing. Lead eyes tied back by the hook bend, 2 rubber antenna and 2 pieces of holographic flash tied off the back. The top of the body is epoxied for both strength and looks and the double weed guard is made of hard mono. Have fun with this one I think it would be a killer Bahamas bonefish fly if it was tied with tans and pinks or even just the way it is in yellow. Thanks Rob.
I am going to use this post to keep everyone up to date. Rob is currently redesigning my web site, and from what I have seen so far everyone should love it. I won't give away any details but it will include some incredible images. Check out Rob's line of fly fishing lifestyle apparel at http://bugslinger.com/ I would also like to thank everyone that has ordered shirts so far, I must say that the micro fiber shirts have been the biggest hit. Bug slinger also has a new micro fiber shirt out, as a matter of fact I am wearing mine right now, and also a brand new snook design. I would love to see some comments on these flies. I have 5 entries for this fly tying contest so far, so if I do not recieve anymore emails for people wanting to enter I will post the poll as soon as I post all five. Stay tuned and don't forget to spread the word about this blog with your friends.
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2 comments:
John, This is a great looking fly that I would love to throw at a bonefish! It made me think of something that I have been wondering for a while though.
One of my favorite things about fresh water flyfishing is getting a trout to eat a dry fly. Last night I was out throwing some small flys at snook under the lights and again I thought "the way these fish explode to the surface on little shrimps and other goodies, why wouldn't they hit a dry fly in a nice moving current under the light? (the docks around Sewall's Point immediatley come to mind!)
Anyway, I am not good at tying at all. I can make a clouser and a crazy charlie and that's about it! Does anyone have any ideas on how to make a dry fly that could float in the current and get nailed by a snook under the light? I thought maybe a little piece of styrofoam or something with some little rubber band legs or something.
Anyway, just a thought. What do you guys think? Would a snook hit a dry fly? If anyone wants to take a shot at making one, I would be more than happy to be on the field testing team!
RJ
Rj, I am glad to see that you read the blog. I hope all is going well with the Boys and Girls Club. I have thrown small gurglers at the lights and had the snook pop them off the surface. It is not quite the same as drifting a fly through the lights but same topwater result. Stay in touch and keep reading there will be more very day or so.
John
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