Balsa Swimming Minnow- Smallmouth/bass Fly

[Jason R.]

Looks easy to tie if it's similar to a popper, but on this one do you use a small drill bit to get the hook's eye out the front?

Man, I just use the hook itself to dig a slit that goes about 3/4 up the body from the back to the lip. I dig it deep enough that I can poke the hook out of the slit and that is what makes the hole- balsa is so soft you do not even need a drill. I cover all the flaws and the slit up with standard drywall spackle and then I sand all that down smooth. I use superglue to secure everything. The hard part is the glue- because you have to slide the hook through with glue on it or try to squeeze the glue in after the hook is in place- either way its a pain. I stole some grey fingernail polish from my wife so I slather that junk on there and then do some marker art and voila. Last step is the tail and the eyes and a final coat of clear Sally Hansens.