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Current Tags for This Pattern
/ Bass / bluegill / Epoxy / Flash / Flashabou / Foam / Krystal Flash / panfish / popper / Saddle / slider / smallmouth / Topwater /

Topwater Slider, "Sneaky Pete" style

 
tied by Jim Hester in MD
Fly Type: Poppers/Sliders,
Target Species: Freshwater Bass,
Recommended Region: Other,
Imitation: Frogs,
Material List*:
Hook: Mustad Signature Series popper hook
Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon
Body: Hard foam preformed
Tail: 3-4 pairs of rooster saddle or neck hackle
Topping/Flash: Krystal Flash, Flashabou, Holographic Flash, to suit tyers preference.
Hackle: Rooster saddle or neck, wrapped.
Legs: Regular size Round Rubber
Eye: Painted or stick-on
Body Overcoat: Devcon 2 ton epoxy with glitter mixed in.

*Materials with links give you direct access to that product at the J. Stockard store.
Tying Instructions: Step 1: Preparing the body. Slot the foam body for the hook if the body doesn't already have one, then it the body to the hook, which should be snug in the slot then epoxy in place. Try to fill the hook slot with epoxy, then rotate the head until the epoxy sets. Allow the epoxy to completely harden

Step 2: Finishing the body. Lightly sand any rough spots, then paint the body whatever color you prefer. Even though the bodies are usually white out of the package, I have found that an undercoat or 2 of white paint makes a nicer looking body. You will have to use a paint that is suitable for this type of foam. After the paint is completely dry, paint or add stick-on eyes. Finally, coat the body with a thin coat, or two of epoxy, adding glitter if desired, then rotate the body until the epoxy has set. Allow epoxy to completely harden.

Step 3: Adding the tail. All materials will be tied on the section of the hook shank immediately adjacent to the body & approx. 1/4 inch along the shank. Pair the tail feathers, then tie in behind the head. Tie in whatever flash is desired.

Step 4: Adding the legs. Precut your round rubber to whatever length you want, keeping in mind that they will be half this length after they're tied in. I like to use two strands at a time per side, so keep them together, do not pull them apart.
Position your thread where you want the legs to be tied in, then fold the rubber strands around the thread and bring the tips together. Pull the rubber tight to the hook with the thread and secure with 3-4 wraps. Repeat this on both sides of the fly. This will result in almost perfectly matched legs every time, and will look like they were tied in criss-crossed.

Step 5: Adding the hackle. Position the thread to the rear side of the legs, next to the tail feathers, then tie in a long saddle or neck hackle by the butt end. Wrap the thread forward to the rear of the body. Now wrap the hackle forward, and between the legs, then secure with a few wraps of thread just behind the body. Now make a few wraps back, then forward thru the hackle, and tie off with a whip knot against the rear of the body.This will help keep the hackle from unwinding if the stem gets broken during use.

Add a few drops of whatever head cement you prefer to use at the tie off point. Also push the hackle fibers to the side & place a few drops down at the fibers base, along the shank. This will glue everything in place & make an extremely durable fly. I prefer to use a non-hardening cement such as vinyl cememt for this.