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Speed Tying Demos

For every instructional tying demo I publish to YouTube and my blog, I will also be posting a speed demo that is tying only, sped up, and set to music.  Click the button below to see my most recent speed demo covering The Carp Crawler.

Carp Crawler Speed Demo

Bunny Leech

1/24/2018

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Recipe

Hook-3XL, 2XH streamer hook-sz. 2 or 4
Thread-6/0 black or clear mono
Weight-o.o25 lead wire-6 wraps centered
Foul Guard-15 or 20 lb. mono tied in horizontal loop at hook rear
Polar Flash-black 
Tail-black zonker strip
Body-black crosscut zonker strip
Rubber Legs-4 black silicone or rubber legs-2 each side
Dubbing Loop-black dubbing spun and brushed out-wrapped forward to head
Nail Polish Head Coats-1.) black 2.) clear with purple glitter 3.) clear coat

Material Links


Mustad Streamer Hooks sz 4.
Danville 140 Denier Black Thread
Lead Wire
Lead-Free Wire
20 lb. Mono for Foul Guard
Krystal Flash
Flashabou
Rabbit Strips Zonker Cut
Rabbit Strips Cross Cut
Rubber Legs
Dubbing
Polish/Head Cement - Sally Hansen Hard as Nails


Tying Notes

This is a pattern that you can do a lot with.  Color and material options are endless but the one important factor for this pattern is to keep it simple.  The focus is to make sure your materials are free to move and breathe underwater.  This leech will move nicely on its own without you manipulating it at all.  Make sure that your mono loop is not too large at the back as it will hinder the action of tail.  Sometimes it takes a little practice to find the right size for this step.  The super glue step before you wrap the the crosscut bunny strip is not necessary but it adds durability to the fly.  Do not hesitate to experiment with different weight options and sizes to match your target species and water conditions.  I blend my own dubbing for this fly and have come up with a mixture of black dubbing and purple flash that suits my eye.  If you decide to tie this pattern up, tying a few at a time will help speed up the final coats of polish on the head as the rest of the pattern is very quick and simple.  Tie a few up and get fishing!

Fishing Tips

This pattern has replaced a black woolly bugger in my fly box.  I have these tied up in sz. 4 for small stream bass and larger sz. 2/0 patterns for bigger rivers and lakes.  This pattern has two key functions which are movement and silhouette.  I fish this pattern primarily on cloudy days, rainy days, and when the water is murky or stained.  In order for a fish to be able to take your offering, they have to be able to see it and nothing stands out against water the color of chocolate milk like a black bunny leech.  This fly does very well on the swing as it moves very well on its own but a strip retrieve with the right cadence can produce a pulsing movement in the bunny fur that can produce savage takes.  Northern Pike crush this fly especially the larger sizes and smallmouth love it too.  Don't be afraid to swing this fly for steelhead.  Get out there and try this pattern! 
  

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Sparrow Bugger

1/13/2018

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Picture



Recipe
​
Hook-3XL, 2XH streamer hook sz. 2 or 4
Thread-brown 6/0 or clear mono
Weight-4 to 6 wraps of 0.025 lead wire 
​Tail-white and brown marabou hackled forward, then tied back to form a mixed tail
Flash-pearl and gold krystal flash-two strands of each on each side
Rib-clear mono or copper wire
Body-white, tan, and brown dubbing mix blended-blend spun into dubbing loop, wrapped forward, and brushed out
Rubber legs-white silicone rubber legs with barring-2 on each side
Hackle-one white and one brown saddle wrapped together towards the tail, then trapped by the rib material and counter wrapped back towards the head of the fly

Collar-one natural grizzly and one brown grizzly soft hackle feather wrapped 3-5 times then followed by another brown soft hackle

Head-whip finish and put a coat of brown fabric paint over thread.  After that dries, apply second coat of clear glitter fabric paint.  After all fabric paint has dried and cured, apply thin coat of head cement or Sally Hansen Hard as Nails.


Material Links

Mustad Streamer Hook sz 4.
Danville 140 Denier Brown Thread
Lead Wire
Lead-Free Wire
Marabou - Brown
         - White

Flash - Krystal Flash - Gold
                          - Pearl
Dubbing
Rubber Legs
Saddle Hackle
Soft Hackle
Polish/Head Cement - Sally Hansen Hard as Nails


Tying Notes

This fly is just a woolly bugger with a twist.  Instead of a chenille body it has a dubbed body along with some rubber legs and a reflective head.  Make sure when you are tying this pattern that you match your feather size appropriately so the fly stays in proportion.  You can also add a bead to the head to add extra weight if needed rather than finishing the head as pictured above.  Other than the minor edits, this fly is basic.  With woolly buggers the options are endless!

Fishing Tips

The nice thing about buggers is that you can fish them many different ways.  You can swing them, dead drift, retrieve them like a streamer, or jig them.  With all these options it is no wonder why this fly has stood the test of time.  The fish and the conditions you are fishing will dictate the retrieve.  Experiment and give this fly a try.  You will not be disappointed!  

Click the button below to see this fly in action!

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Sparrow Bugger
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Popping Bugger

1/8/2018

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Picture
Picture


Recipe

Hook-3X long 2X heavy streamer hook-size 4
Thread-6/0 brown, yellow, or clear mono
2mm Craft Foam-4 circular discs tied up front and glued together-brown or yellow

Fabric Paint-cover foam with two coats-sides and back brown, front yellow
Tail-brown and yellow marabou hackled towards front and tied back 
Krystal Flash-2 yellow and 2 copper on each side of tail
Rib-mono or copper wire (mono works better)
Body-yellow and brown dubbing blend-dubbing loop
Silicone Rubber Legs-hot yellow-two on each side
Saddle Hackle-brown and yellow wrapped back to tail and trapped with rib, counter wrapping to the head of the fly

Soft Hackle-brown and yellow hackled forward (3-5 wraps) then follow with a single brown soft hackle wrapped forward to finish the fly​ (3-5 wraps)

Material Links

Mustad Streamer Hooks sz 4 or 2
Danville 140 Denier Brown Thread
Craft Foam - 1.5 mm assortment

                2 mm assortment
         2mm brown

Fabric Paint - Brown
                Yellow

Marabou - Brown
            Yellow
                    

Flash - Krystal Flash - Yellow
                             Copper

Dubbing -Yellow
            Brown

Rubber Legs

Saddle Hackle
Soft Hackle
Head Cement - Sally Hansen Hard as Nails

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Tying Notes
​

​This is one of those patterns that you have to practice and experiment with to get it just the way you want it.  The biggest adjustment is tying the foam head.  When the foam head is constructed correctly, it will have a flat face and it pushes water!  The fabric paint is an optional step but I use it to improve durability and overall appearance.  Without anything coating the foam, it will not last but a couple fish.  I have added eyes before but they are not necessary.  There are all kinds of customizing options to this fly, but the option I have presented has caught me my best and most bass.  If you are going to tie a few at a time, I would suggest constructing the heads first, then move into the rest of the fly.  This will make things go a lot faster.  The rest of the fly is just a woolly bugger!  The only other tip that I could give for this pattern is to use a dubbing loop when dubbing the body.  This produces a more durable body and makes a fly that will last.  Also, this is not a trout nymph!  Do not skimp on dubbing.  After you tie and hackle the first saddles, you can take a small piece of velcro and tease out the dubbing fibers so that they blend in with the feathers.  In my opinion, this creates a super buggy body! 

Fishing Tips

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This fly is a popper, but what makes it unique is that it pushes a lot of water for its smaller size.  When people think topwater bass, they are thinking of bigger offerings.  This pattern is small for bass standards but will do great in both still and moving water.  It shines in small streams when targeting smallmouth.  Your retrieve will depend on the conditions and the fish, but a pop and pause retrieve is always a good starting point.  I have casted this close to cover and let it sit for sometimes up to a minute for a bass to commit and eat.  Sometimes a steady popping retrieve gets the job done and I have had great success skating this fly as well.  Whatever kind of day you choose to throw this fly, you will enjoy the results!
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