Trying my hand at synthetic bait fish.

[ironmachin 0]

I've been intimidated by these patterns but, looking at all the stuff here, I thought I'd give it a shot. The first attempt didn't look right at all; probably was using too much material per layer.

 

I used Fish Scales for the body and a tiny bit of bucktail at the bottom. If I wanted to make a bigger profile, do I need to just add more layers along the hook shank as I go?

 

 

 

[Piker20 0]

Yes use thin layers built layer on layer. You have the transparency showing ok there. I haven't used the fish scales stuff but when using other synthetics you can also tie the last couple before the head, the wrong way. So with tips over the eye. Then when you tie head or use a skull like you have, it folds these fibres back and provides that bulky shoulder without excessive material.

[ironmachin 0]

Yes use thin layers built layer on layer. You have the transparency showing ok there. I haven't used the fish scales stuff but when using other synthetics you can also tie the last couple before the head, the wrong way. So with tips over the eye. Then when you tie head or use a skull like you have, it folds these fibres back and provides that bulky shoulder without excessive material.

 

Thanks for the input; I'll give that a try.

[agn54 0]

Piker nailed it. Hallow tying is the best way to build up a big profile without adding bulk. You can do it with synthetics and naturals like buck tail as well

 

Great looking fly by the way

[SCOwens 0]

Looks good ...

[bkatz1 0]

that looks great, Enrico Puglisi has some great videos on his website that really helped be when working on the shape and build of the fly- but that fly right there will catch fish!