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smokinprice

Foam Bees and Wasps

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I have been trying to follow a pattern I found years ago in either American Angler or Fly Tyer. I cant remember which one it is now. Anyways, I am still not happy with them but they are coming along.

 

post-10276-1268525297_thumb.jpg

post-10276-1268525365_thumb.jpg

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I used my old head cement and didnt realize it had gone bad so to speak when I did the red wasp so hence the shinny head.

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I struggled with the same patterns when I first learned to tie them. You're doing fine! I'd fish 'em! Looking good, Jeff!

 

One thing I did do, and it was just out of personal preference, was to let the foam strip extend well beyond the hook eye. Secure it at the eye with one of two wraps, then fold the foam back and secure it with two or three wraps. At the same place, I tie in the wings and the legs. Again, your pattern looks great! Just like the article. I started tying mine with folded head so I could tie a bit larger pattern (8-4) for smallies and use heavier nymph hooks. The folded foam added bouyancy to compensate for the heavier hook. I like the use of red for the wasp! A nice magenta and even pink also make great wasp colors.

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I think I first came across that pattern in 2003 or 2004 in Fly Tyer. Deadly! Have you ever fished it? That little fly and a 3 wt make big fun on the creeks, Jeff! You're gonna have big fun with these ties!

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Nope havent fished it yet. I always ment to tie it but never did. Trying to get more into the tying so I am branching out and trying more stuff

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Be sure to tie a few in black, orange, and shades of green. I never hit any lake or pond without at least one of each of those colors. If the bass won't play, or the BIG gills are about, I fish them tirelessly.. Great pattern. You will grow to love it very quickly!

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I have tied this particular pattern both ways, just as you have in the pics. Both are equally effective. The hackling is to hide the thread wraps fromn attaching the legs and to add a little bouyancy and floatability to the fly, as minimal as that may be. I often tie the bee without any hackle at all and just use several thread wraps to create the body segmentation and then add the legs with the last wraps of thread, almost like an ant pattern.

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wes917 I tied these on Mustad's 3366 size 10.

 

Thanks they look great. Is the article available online for these do you know?

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