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Joe Hard

T&A Bunker Varation

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Thanks guys, Vito I have used the traditional olive over white, and the rainbow T&A as a smelt here. never had a strike on either colour combo. I like the fly so I tried something a bit different. I tied a chartreuse over white last night for the salt and am thinking yellow over white or a small brown for the browns. I think they are a neat fly and am going to tie up a few more colours for bass like a baby bass, perch and attractor colours.

 

I have noticed that getting the connection right is important as the fly will hinge. Clipping of the back hook, the fly wont swim right. Clipping off the front hook with the doll eyes it wouldn't swim right either. Could of been it was the first few of the pattern I tied.

 

I used bigger hooks and left the eyes off as I find they make the pattern float a bit, and not worth the hassle of putting them on. I tried adding J.C. for eyes on the one I tied last night but I used nails that were to big so I clipped them and made eyes out of silver glitter fabric paint with black pupil.

 

I m wondering what a magic head would do for the fly, especially in still water. I have noticed that when you cast the fly, slightly down and across and let it sit for a slight second so the line drifts down then give a sharp tug the fly looks as though it turns. sort of like a rising fish returning to its feeding lane.

 

As I said I like the fly and have never had any success, so I will keep trying until I get it right. Any advise on tying the pattern would be great.

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It can be a very effective pattern here in Michigan when the stocker rainbows are planted. Try using a heavier mono for the connection if it's hinging and getting tangled. In my experience, adding large stick on eyes seems to draw more strikes.

 

I would think tan over white or gray over white would work too. I like the idea of trying different colors but I honestly haven't seen someone do it yet. You got me thinking now. Black and yellow could be effective in stained water. I also like the chartruese/white combination you've used. That could be good on sunny days.

 

Way to be creative! :thumbsup:

 

Matt

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20 pound maxima is pretty stiff. I have used heavier and lighter mono. I am wondering a couple of things. If it is the beads I have been using,

 

IPB Image

 

 

The bigger red in the past and the smaller now, or the hook combination. The pattern calls for a tmc 8089 up front and a 105 trailer. I could not get the 105 so I used a Daiichi X510 #8 as trailer and the 8089 in a size 6. Some flies hitched others didn't. I have seen others use two 8089 hooks so I tried this fly with the Gamakatsu stinger combo. I am also wondering exactly how far back the rear hook should be. I have not looked in a while but I think the article by Galloup I read said anywhere from 1 to 1 and 1/2 inches. That leaves room for a lot of maybes. Another is the amount of flashabou skirt and or the length of it. Will have to check but I thought it called for to be cut even with the eye of the first hook.

 

Here is the chartreuse for the salt, blue/green beads and light blue flashabou for skirt.

 

IPB Image

 

It is tied on the Daiichi #2546 2/0 up front and 1/0 as trailer. I have not cast either fly yet but holding the front hook by the eye and shaking it they eventually hinged. I can tell you when fished if this fly is hinged and wet it is one miserable thing to get back in shape. I have a few ideas like instead of tying the mono on the side of the hook maybe one strand per side. Instead of three beads maybe one longer bead. I saw the Swimming Jimmy but never paid that much attention to it. Will scope it out, and send Kelly an e-mail. I would like to get this pattern down pat as I am working on a few baitfish patterns for another member here, and would like to make it a staple in my streamer boxes. Thanks for the suggestions

 

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Great pattern! Looks like a neat one to convert over to a tube fly as well.

 

I was thinking the same thing for the front fly, could change to many different looks with different dressed trailers. Maybe a short plastic tube over the mono connector might solve my problems with the fly hitching. Some times it would catch in the front hook, not so bad but with the smaller egg hook tangles in the mono were crazy. I guess its like any fly I got to just keep on trying until I get it right

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Joe,

 

Have you tried doubling the mono over? You can stick the mono through the eye of the trailer hook so you have to equal ends. Slide the beds over both tag ends and then latch it to the front hook. Hope that makes sense.

 

Love the chartruese and white! :headbang:

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