Fred H.

This is monofilament in different sizes tied with mono thread . The exposed thread is covered with head cement .Monofilament is a great tying material . It is translucent , comes in various diameters , can be cut to any length and is very durable. Fred

Great tie Dave . The big beautiful pike wont be able to resist those. Should work on many species over here as well. Fred

Happy Birthday Murray. Here's wishing you many ,many more. :cheers: Fred

wow that is a great pattern. I love the use of materials ,very clever. Fred

Have a great one guys. Fred

Thanks guys .Today I'll see what the fish think of it. Fred

I found a hopper that looked like this one I tied. I could'nt find it in my reference guide so I'll just say it's a hopper. I tied it with deer hair and monofilament on a size #8 hook. Thanks for looking. Fred

Sandy I have not tried soft plastic worm resin though I think "Bug Partz" which is soft plastic molded parts are not fly tying. I know you are talking about taking soft plastics and reducing them to a bulk material and not a molded part but it is a slippery slope to be sure. I have used a similar bulk product called sili skin in conjunction with other tying materials .http://hatchesmagazine.com/blogs/Hatches/2010/10/25/hold-the-anchovies-by-fred-hannie/ Fred

Thanks Paul I'll have to send you some. Fred

Thanks BigBrown trout I appreciate the comment. bluegill576 there is really not a whole lot to this pattern you're not seeing.But when time allows ,I'll see about posting the steps in Hatches or on my website. Kirk if you come to the tiers rendevous next month we can work on some patterns together . With your creative tying ability ,together we could put these fish in a bind. Stippled Popper the legs are heat kinked at the joints with a warm bodkin and they are compressed with cutting plyers to give the impression of segmented feet.I find it's the little details that help sell it as the insect it's intended to be. Thanks for noticing. Floyd great to hear from you . I hope all is well . I'ts been too long since we've been in a swap together. Thanks again everyone , Fred

Most of these are tied with just thread and mono. With a some markers you can tie a beetle to match almost any that crawls . Thanks , Fred

I just wanted to add that my comments were not directed at anyone in particular . It was a comentary on the times in which we live.I never read the thread with the sponsor trouble. Fred

Fellas I don't know what the answer is. For once I was not the cause of the rukus on here. But I hope this does not have an a$$hole effect as a result. What I mean is: something that will cause inconvienence on those that follow the rules because of some a$$hole.It has recently been brought to my attention just how much a$$holes cost us. We pay more at the grocery store because theft by shop lifters is factored in.We pay more for car insurance to protect from uninsured motorists....and the list goes on and on. Now we're losing sponsors because of a$$holes? In a perfect world those causing the problems would have to pay for their actions. We don't live in a perfect world. I hope what ever comes of this will not lasting effects. Fred

The glues you are using are having a chemical reaction with the hard foam. Try using a two part epoxy such as devcon 5 minute or quickset . Lay down a good thread layer on the hook first. Quickset and five minute are not recomended to coat the popper though as they will yellow over time. Yopu can use 60 min. epoxy which will give you a nice clear lasting finish.

Daniel the book you want is Prey by Carl Richards . In this book he shows how he made the crab boddies and what material he used.

Thanks Paul. I was board today . It was too windy to fish so I stayed in and tied. Fred

Wow , what a great pattern . You did an awesome job on this one . Very , very nice !!!!!!!! Fred

After placing the needle in the vise rub a bar of soap all over the needle's surface as a lubricant. then wrap down the needle and back with two smooth layers of thread . Coat the layers of thread with flexament and allow time to dry before proceeding.Now you can use a number of different techniques to form your extended body that will stay together when pulled off the needle. Fred

Have a great one. Get out and fish.

Nice one my friend . You do such wonderful patterns. Fred

Found some sproat hooks in an unopened cardboard box at a flea market. I'll take a photo of the box tonight if it will help. But I was wondering if anyione had any imformation on this hook company. Are they still in Business? Does any retailer still sell their hooks? etc .etc .... Any imformation would be greatly appreciated. Fred

Thanks my friend.

That's a beauty Ray. Fred

Thanks Paul, these little guys hunt very close to the water surface and it's not uncommon to see trout or bass leap completely out of the water after them. Fred

nice photo and advice . Try long and short and let the fish tell you which ones they prefer.