Bait Fish Pattern For Smallies

[SoMuchWater]

In my last post I mentioned the difficultly I was having throwing big articulated wind resistant patterns tied to a sinking line from the seat of my kayak. A couple of close calls with wearing one as a fashion statement in the back of my head convinced me to ty on a pattern that cast a little better from such a low on the water setting position. It also brought to my attention that I didn't exactly have a box full of smaller, let's say medium sized bait fish patterns. While a number 4 Olive bugger and a size 6 bait fish pattern worked well. I still felt that I was missing out on some larger fisher that were more keyed in on the larger patterns.

So with a little criteria at hand I set down at the vise and ended up with these.

Tied on a size 2 and size 1/0 hook with Congo Hair as the main ingredient. I think I ended up with a medium size pattern that I can throw from the seat of the yak and maybe hookup a few larger fish. Time will tell that story but if your interested here's the scoop on tying this pattern.

One of things I like about this pattern is it lends it's self well to a lot of variation in color choice. I kept the black head as a constant but even that could be changed to better fit your fishing environment.

For materials you'll need

Recipe

Gamakatsu B10S Stinger size 2 through 1/0

Danville 210 Thread

Congo Hair

Palmer Chenille - this product seems to go by a lot of names. Polar Chenille, Ice Chenille are just a couple.

7 mm Googly Eyes

Loon's Hard Head

Step by Step

The amount of Congo hair is difficult to show. When pulled tight it is about 1/4 the diameter of a pencil. Loose approximately 10 mm and loose enough to see through the individual strands of the hank. In my opinion less is more.

1. Ty in the tail 2 colors of Congo Hair - darker color over white both on top of the hook shank.

The darker colored hank (accent) is about half of the white hank.

2. Trim tail - 2.25 inches long from point of hook to end of tail

3. Tie in two additional hanks for the tail - one on top and one on bottom. each hank extending about 1 inch from the point of the hook back.

4. Tie the Chenille

5. Wrap the Chenille forward in tight wraps to a point at about 2/3 of the hook shank. Tie off an trim away the excess.

6. Tie in two hanks of Congo Hair with 3 wraps or thread - one hank on top and one on bottom of the hook shank. The ends should extend back over the tail.

7. In a single wrap move the thread back over the top of the first wrap made of the 3 wraps used to secure the Congo hair.

8. Pull each Congo Hair Hank back and secure with a couple of tight thread wraps ending with a couple of wraps in front of the blunted end that was created from pulling the Congo Hair back.

9. Trim the ends of each Hank longer than the final trim will be. This creates the first section.

10. Repeat steps 6 through 9 to create 3 or 4 more sections. (The number of section needed may vary some. Ideally the last section, in this example the black section, ends just behind the hook eye).

11. Tie in the head section - Repeat steps 6 through 9 using a contrasting color.

12. Wrap thread to create a cone shaped head, whip finish and trim.

13. Roughly trim the hair to the basic shape. Leave the hair a little long.

14. Cover the head with Loon's Hard Head and put the fly on a drying wheel to dry.

15. After the Hard Head has dried - Attach Googly Eyes, (I use Goop to glue on the eyes) and put the fly back on the drying wheel.

16. After the Goop has dried - Do a fine trim of the Congo hair

Sorry about the color changing pattern

Once you ty a couple of these you'll find that they are both quick and simple to ty.

In this batch I used White Congo Hair as the primary color and black for the heads. With Chartreuse, Fl. Yellow and light brown as accent colors.

For Chenille I liked the Pearl a lot, Chartreuse, Yellow and I made one with Root beer chenille before I ran out of Googly eyes.

I hope it's not to long before I can post something on how they catch Smallmouth.

Fair Winds and Following Seas!

[fishinwrench]

The googly eyes are where it's at. Nice work!

[SoMuchWater]

I do like me some Googl eyes!

Thanks fishinwrench