Feather Game Changer

[Troutbum11 0]

First Attempt at a Feather Game Changer. Any comments/advice from folks who tie this regularly?

 

 

[FlatsRoamer 0]

I would also ask Blane Chocklett (designer of the pattern) for advice. People always love helping others tie their own pattern...

 

Btw just subbed to your channel, keep it up!

[Troutbum11 0]

Thanks! Yeah I actually talked to Blane in person two years ago about this pattern. Just got around to trying it for myself though. He's a great guy and tyer. I'll tie few more and I'm sure they will start looking better, haha. Thanks for the sub!

[Flat Rock native 0]

First Attempt at a Feather Game Changer. Any comments/advice from folks who tie this regularly?

 

 

DSC01179.JPGDSC01186.JPG

Very cool

 

If it casts as nice as it looks, it would be a trout catching machine on Gray Reef or at Ft. Smith, or other big water... Carry On

[Bryon Anderson 0]

Very nice! I've been experiementing with different materials for these -- need to get the good Fish Spines, though; the el cheapo knockoffs that I have are too much hassle to work with.

[Bimini15 0]

Looks great! I would add a few wraps of cactus chenille or similar for flash, but it looks great as it is too.

[Troutbum11 0]

Very nice! I've been experiementing with different materials for these -- need to get the good Fish Spines, though; the el cheapo knockoffs that I have are too much hassle to work with.

The actual fish spines would make this look better I'm sure. I'm too cheap so this was made with cheap hook shanks and bead wire. I made the EP game changers like this too and they look ok. So its probably just my wrapping technique with the feathers that is a bit off. We'll get there though haha.

[Hatchet Jack 0]

Might be splitting hairs, but if you find your feathered Game Changer constantly spinning

on retrieve, try alternating the hackle wrap direction on each section (CW-CCW-CW-CCW).

And perhaps a bit of contrast with the colors, something darker on the head?

 

Other than that, I'd say you've a killer fly there, Troutbum.

 

[Philly 0]

Looks good. How long is it? Adding either the wraps of cactus chenille or x-long estaz as suggested by Bimini15 should make it even more effective. I'm a fan of eyes, so I would add eyes to it. This something I tied a while back, based on Bob Popovic's Semper Fleye. The body is burnt Spey hackle alternated with x-long estaz. Tail is buck tail, saddle hackle and flash. The hook is in the back. It was tied before articulated shanks were available so I'm not sure what the front is tied on.

 

[Troutbum11 0]

Might be splitting hairs, but if you find your feathered Game Changer constantly spinning

on retrieve, try alternating the hackle wrap direction on each section (CW-CCW-CW-CCW).

And perhaps a bit of contrast with the colors, something darker on the head?

 

Other than that, I'd say you've a killer fly there, Troutbum.

 

 

Thanks Hatchet,

 

Havent swam it yet so I guess we'll find out! Appreciate the suggestion though.

[Troutbum11 0]

Looks good. How long is it? Adding either the wraps of cactus chenille or x-long estaz as suggested by Bimini15 should make it even more effective. I'm a fan of eyes, so I would add eyes to it. This something I tied a while back, based on Bob Popovic's Semper Fleye. The body is burnt Spey hackle alternated with x-long estaz. Tail is buck tail, saddle hackle and flash. The hook is in the back. It was tied before articulated shanks were available so I'm not sure what the front is tied on.

 

Jointed Pike Fly 2.jpg

Thanks Philly,

I'll add some flash to the next one and see how it turns out!

[Papa Baske 0]

I have only tied this pattern once, but it didn't look as fine as yours. What kind of feathers did you use?

[Troutbum11 0]

I have only tied this pattern once, but it didn't look as fine as yours. What kind of feathers did you use?

 

Thanks! The picture in the post below are the feathers I used. As you tie the body segments you have to work down the hen cape to work with the natural tapper of the feathers. Use the larger feathers as you work towards the head. I trick I found was to use three feathers at once and wrap them all at once to get the nice thick body. Finish the head with three shleppen feathers tied in and wrapped together.

[Troutbum11 0]

I think its looking better already. Added more segments, but made them smaller. Added some flash and a larger, darker head. Attached are also the feathers I used. Total length of the fly is 4.5''. Pretty nice size I think! I'll probably make one with a white head and I have a tan saddle to use for the body. These things are going to become addicting I think, haha...

 

 

[Bimini15 0]

Very nice! The only thing I would add is eyes, but I am sure there are differing opinions on that.