Playing with new baitfish patterns

[tangledup]

I’m stuck at home today so on my quest to branch out and catch more species on my fly rod this year I decided to try my hand at some baitfish patterns. 
 

This was my first attempt at the Hoo Fly developed by Johnny King. He developed it as a saltwater pattern but I don’t know why I couldn’t change the colors and make it work around here. As long as it catches fish I think I’m going to like it. Super quick and easy to tie, which is a huge plus for me, and it only uses craft fur and laser dub.

[Flysmallie]

I'm sure a saltwater or freshwater fish will eat it just like it is.

[FishnDave]

Nice work!  I like it!

[tjm]

I agree that the current color will work,  but, I think the whitish belly and orangish gills would also work with any of several darker backs too. Baitfish all resemble baitfish so salt patterns and fresh patterns can often interchange.

[fishinwrench]

Looks like it could have some action, because of that fat midsection.  Give one a water test.   

I always make sure a new fly design has something going for it BEFORE tying up a dozen of them.    Lots of flys that look really cool just come through the water like a leaf or a stick.   A standard Deceiver is a good example....That thing does NOTHING.  The only reason it is a famous fly pattern is because you can cast it a mile, and sometimes under certain conditions (a blitz) that's all that matters.   

[tangledup]

I think darker would work better as well. I played around with a few different colors of laser dub that I have, as well as a few different profiles. The neat thing about this fly is that, when you coat it with the glue, you can form it to whatever profile you want. So I can do a tall skinny profile for blue Gill, long and thin for minnows or whatever bait I’m trying to imitate. 

[tangledup]

So far I think the bottom pattern and profile is my favorite. I'm also trying out a new nanosilk thread that I picked yesterday from Semperfli. It may not be ideal for this type of fly but it's really thin and supposed to be super strong so I thought it might work well for small nymphs where I need some extra wraps without building up too much bulk. Its a little slick but seems to work well so far. 

[trythisonemv]

  On 3/9/2021 at 4:01 PM, tangledup said:

I’m stuck at home today so on my quest to branch out and catch more species on my fly rod this year I decided to try my hand at some baitfish patterns. 
 

This was my first attempt at the Hoo Fly developed by Johnny King. He developed it as a saltwater pattern but I don’t know why I couldn’t change the colors and make it work around here. As long as it catches fish I think I’m going to like it. Super quick and easy to tie, which is a huge plus for me, and it only uses craft fur and laser dub.

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I tie a similar pattern with a dubbing I make and use saddle hackle for the tails . .   they look really good in the water and if they perform the way they should my pond largies should go bonkers. These one you're tying in white and chart are really good.