It’s Popper Time again

[1hook 0]

Thanks for the info mike,keep posting pictures as they turn out! I also use liquid fusion on my poppers. Lately Ive been lazy and doing the double barrel poppers with just some markers and no top coat. Fish crush them and they float great

[Mike West 0]

FRN,

Yes the tooth pick or drill bit goes in the Dremel tool to shape them.

 

Zara Spook,

I thought I was one of the first guys to figure out how to do that with a fly. Silly me turns out The Cream and a few others figured it out a few years before me. Even though Ive been trying to do it for 20 years just none really worked out well for me until I figured out what you have to do to make them work right.

 

They have to have some weight in the ass end to walk right. I have one carved out of balsawod and some out of dear hair but never foam.

 

They are on Photobucket. I have to transfer them so I can post them Ill do it later.

 

Do a search here for Zara Spooks youll find some info on it. I think The Cream nailed the design and then farmed it out to another fly tyer, you can buy them online made out of deer hair.

[Flat Rock native 0]

Philly and Mike, thank you for the info. Good advice and insights, have several long Winter months here to work and experiment. Have lot of foams, propellers, balsa, basswood, tiny spin blades; even some decent deer hair, not great color. May try reversing an articulated or jointed tube fly with brass on the posterior. Plenty of CA glue in stock.

 

I was flummoxed by the deer hair heads on Turck Tarantulas and Kiwi Muddlers. The Smallmouth's and Jack Pike in Tongue River Reservoir blew up my poorly conceived, and constructed, models. So, I did a work-around, evading the issue I had packing, spinning, and trimming the deer. Figured out some neutral-buoyancy streamers and caught even more fish, but never dealt with the deer hair problem. Now I am ready to take it head-on. Plenty of great coaching in this forum, thanks amigos.

[Mike West 0]

OK I got my base coats lay down,topcoats over that and some basic effects laid out. Just getting started on some Stippiling and other effects I want to try out.

My airbrush has been giving me fits clogging up and then so I thined the paint and I got some colors that ran...Grrrrr

 

I just counted these up I have 115 to do.

 

At age 59 I probably wont need to do this again for the rest of my life. Especially seeing how I already have probably 150 done. 😲

 

Maybe I should start a popper swap. 🤔

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is after the popper has been sanded with an emery board,A clear coat applied and then sanded with an emery board again and then some 600 grit sandpaper. As you can see still a very rough surface with Fuzzys. I sanded them again with 600 grit after this picture and then two clear more topcoats to get a smooth finish.

 

 

 

I think its cheaper just to buy them. 😎

[Flat Rock native 0]

 

"...Maybe I should start a popper swap. ..."

 

Think you alread have, but you took all 12 spots, plus 6 bonus flyes

 

".....I think its cheaper just to buy them...."

 

For everybody but Chell, but where is the FUN, in that?

 

Great share! Thank you!

[fshng2 0]

Very impressive Mike.

Making/fishing some spooks are definitely on my bucket list.

When adding tail weight, what approx angle is required for good spook action?

[Sandan 0]

Haven't been bass fishing in ages. Those poppers are quite something. Great work

[Mike West 0]

Very impressive Mike.

Making/fishing some spooks are definitely on my bucket list.

When adding tail weight, what approx angle is required for good spook action?

 

Youll have to experiment but this worked for me.

[fshng2 0]

Mike thanks for the pic.

I imagine each design is different as to how much weight, but still toward the rear.

I watched the creame's video again and the head is barely out of the water with a moderate retrieve.

[Flat Rock native 0]

Two words, fshng2: 1/2 Floating MoP :0

[Mike West 0]

Basically the head needs to float or at least the front 1/3 with some weight in the back end.

I’ve tied some I don’t know what you call them,a low-fathead minnow, reverse tie with craft fur... know what I mean ?

Except I glue a small little bullethead piece of foam at the front put a little weight in the back like the picture shown above and you will get a Sluggo type action . There’s more to it than that but basically in a nutshell that’s how you do it.

[fshng2 0]

Mike thanks for the info, I get what you are saying.

Can't wait to see some more of your painting on the poppers and the finished ones.

 

 

FRN I think you're right.

[Mike West 0]

Two words, fshng2: 1/2 Floating MoP :0

Ha... lightbulb just went off. I got an idea for a mop Zaraspook

Totally experimental but I know it will work.

 

Fshng2,

I’m gonna tie three if you want one and will actually fish it & come back and tell us if it works or not I’ll send you one...U 2 FRN

I’ll get started on them tonight.

[Flat Rock native 0]

Merry Christmas to me, darn right I want one! PM sent soon!

[fshng2 0]

A spook fly is on my bucket list...I'll definitely give it a shot.