AndrewP 0 Report post Posted December 11, 2013 I got the idea for this fly from a fly designed for freshwater carp. I modified it slightly and thought it might make for a good benthic worm imitation for redfish or black drum, especially when those fish were tailing hard. The head and body of the fly is just barbell eyes and estaz. The tail of the fly is made from thin foam and cut using a hole-punch. I then use thin rubber (like used for crab legs) and thread onto a needle, and puncture the punches in the middle. On the last punch, I make a big knot to secure everything. The fly ends up looking like this ….. It’s made to stand straight up off the bottom, and it does. Here is a pic I tried to get with the fly in a glass of water: I may end up adding some additional “legs” between some of the punches to give the fly some more wiggle …. Haven’t had the opportunity to try it out just yet, but would love to throw this at some big tailing black drum and see what happens ….. AP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piker20 0 Report post Posted December 11, 2013 Id probably want to try and add a weed guard as you're going to be wanting that hard on the bottom. Should work lovely. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted December 12, 2013 If it actually head stand like that in use, it's going to be a killer pattern. A little wave action, or twitch of the rod and that thing should dance like a blood worm, a tube worm or a "tailing" minnow. A minnow picking at something on the bottom is NOT paying attention to approaching predators and they take full advantage of that. I think you've got a winning pattern without adding anything. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Gibbons 0 Report post Posted December 12, 2013 after analyzing it a moment,,I agree with mikechell...this fly has it,,got me thinking, thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kentuckytroutbum 0 Report post Posted December 13, 2013 Reminds me of a hellgrammit, Which is a natural food for trout & SMB. Nice tie. Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ironmachin 0 Report post Posted December 15, 2013 This is awesome! I'm going to try this in the local surf. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Betty 0 Report post Posted December 17, 2013 I like the concept very much, enjoy working with foam. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
salt_fly 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2014 Very original idea! Don't know how tough that rubber used to thread the foam is, but you might want to use mono or braided line instead. The individual discs give a nice segmented look as opposed to a single foam cylinder. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ditz2 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2014 I tied some of those last summer use for carp. I used a 1/8" hole punch and I did not string the disks very close together which allowed more movement. 1/4" hole punch would probably be better in the salt. Wished I could brag that I hooked some carp but alas..........I found the idea on a carp blog where a fella ties carp flies for profit. I think I used 4 or 6# mono to string the disks. Keep us updated on your success with these tail wavers. I too, think it is a great idear. I intend to try them for some other warmwater species this summer. Yes Mike, they do sit head down and tail up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocco 0 Report post Posted January 15, 2014 You are really onto something with this one. Good idea! The design also lends itself to biggish -- 2 and 1/2 to 3" -- salmon flies with the addition of legs, a wing case, and antennae. (I've seen bigger ones attached to my waders on the Shenandoah!) Use plastic bead eyes and a short leader with a sink tip line in short strips and you can get a horizontal, natural, retrieve with wiggle; stop the retrieve in front of a fish and it wiil rise as if emerging. Rocco Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewP 0 Report post Posted June 23, 2014 Hope you don't mind; I've created Version 2.0 of this fly .... Changes made were (1) Now tied on jig hook (2) Use EP Tarantula Legs for body (3) use 4 large bead chain instead of lead eyes (looks shrimpy) (4) Using thin elastic band for "thread" instead of silli leg material (5) Maribou tail to secure end of thread It still stands on its head when sitting still with the body upright and the maribou moving seductively (to a black drum anyway) ..... AP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites