Fly Tying: Brammer's Con Man - Bluegill Imitation

I give a step by step fly tying tutorial on a articulated streamer Trout Nugget/Jerk Jr. hybrid pattern known as the Con Man. This pattern is proportioned to imitate sunfish species for use in targeting warm water predator species such as bass, bowfin, pike, ect...
Material list:
20mm Flymen Fishspine
1/8th inch Rabbit Zonker - Olive Variant
Steve Farrar Flash Blend - Yellow, Herring Back
1/0 Partridge Attitude Extra
Laser Dub - Olive
Monster Dub - Yellow
Chartpack Markers - Black, Orange
Red Sharpie
7mm Flymen Living Eyes
My website: streamersbygunn...
Fly Tying, Fly Fishing, Articulated Streamer, Trout, Bass, Pike, Streamer, Gunnar Brammer, Brammer’s Custom Flies

[@colinkobel2868]

Nice to know that I’m not the only one that snaps my thread. Outstanding tutorial, thank you!

[@sigurdurmarolafsson4183]

I can SOOOOO relate 2 that!!

[@joeduca8582]

Gunnar! I've been watching you for over 2 years and you've reached such a high level of excellence in tying and knowledge of design that is very inspiring and one that I admire. I appreciate your​ generosity in sharing your knowledge, and your sense of humor that makes for an enjoyable, learning experience. Thanks! 👍

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Wow Joe! I really appreciate the kind words man, thank you! All the best, tight lines and God Bless!

[@joeduca8582]

Gunnar Brammer Ditto! God bless you!

[@justindesign]

Really dig all your patterns. I appreciate your attention to detail and your willingness to share your techniques

[@davidhughes2622]

Looks like a great big bass killer fly Dave Hughes!!!

[@sirmegallot3276]

When you sucked the thread through the bobbin... that was neatest trick I've seen in years.

[@winks002]

Sweet fly, a wooden clothes pin works great too for holding those eyes ! Great work

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Awesome man! I'll have to give that a try sometime.

[@fishduckdog]

Awesome sunfish pattern! Thanks for sharing!

[@johnaggers5852]

You can cut the water soaked weight of this fly by eliminating the rabbit strip on the hook section of the fly and replace it with synthetic hair. Make the rabbit tail articulated section exactly as shown in the video and attach to the hook. Alternating with the SF blend on the bottom, attach several bunches of SF blend, slinky hair, congo hair, etc on top of the hook in place of the rabbit strip. (This is similar to the Yard Sale steamer fly front section)

[@TheCanary24]

Seems so effective. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us🙏

[@JamesSmith-nx7ik]

Fantastic video of a terrific pattern. Very nicely done video!

[@millcreekminnow]

I watched a few videos today at work. Really solid tying!

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Thanks man, I really appreciate it!

[@stevennack8945]

Beautiful fly...Thanks again. I am going to tie some up for pike fishing at my summer house in Canada!!

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Right on Steven! Best of luck fishing man!

[@wildfoundfly420]

excellent pattern, the head is top notch.

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Thanks guys!

[@CanDuNietteR]

Artist at work!!!

[@alexhoskinson4253]

Awesome fly! I will be trying this ASAP

[@sergtang5593]

Very well done...interesting tip for the belly 👍🏻

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Thank you Serg!

[@emilykrull8200]

Thats sweet fly. Great work.

[@jasonaitchison1951]

Well done gunner, question depending on the species that you’re going for, you want a stinger hook then the double shank and you might have just mentioned it. Well done though beautiful fish

[@jjlebreton]

Solid work yet again man! I love this fly, gonna try a few tonight w/ ice dub instead of SF (I'm out of SF in decent colors lol)

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Thank you Jeff! Glad you dig it, best of luck tying man!

[@daveflowers3070]

dude, your ties are amazing... subscribed.

[@CaliBassin]

Great Tying Brother

[@enzoalfaro4142]

Muy buena mosca, seguiré los pasos y la probare en Argentina, saludos

[@myxa-kopablik]

Great work!

[@rickfascinato5758]

Outstanding job

[@MrBuilditfixit]

Awesome work, I'm new to this style of fly, I want to try it here in the lakes of Australia for big trout, we have euro Redfin so it will imitate them well. thanks so much for sharing your techniques. do you do any bonding over the wraps when fixing the nylon coated wire to the front hook to stop it pulling out if a fish hammers the back section?

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Hey man, thank you for the kind words. With regards to the wire, the nylon coating is rather soft, and solid firm wraps with the tying thread will dig into the nylon coating - likewise I lay down a course base of thread for grip against the shank of the hook. The wraps are typically open spiral cross wraps as to dig into one another like a Chinese Finger Trap, adding tension when crossing over. Not sure if I did this in the video, but I always coat the wire after tying it in place with Zap a Gap Super Glue. I haven't had one fail as of yet.

[@redshaftedflicker]

Sick as always, nice tyin' on tha Renzetti--I hope that you're sponsored by them, you should be.

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Not sponsored, though that would be a great partnership to have. I have really enjoyed the vice, definitely think I'll stick with the Renzetti for a looong time!

[@frankbush2943]

Hey wrote you earlier. Great fly for sure. I can’t write fast fast enough or clearly understand the materials you are using. You have a list of the material you use if and are willing to share ? Thanks Frank

[@jeffcollins1172]

Hey Gunnar; here in Arizona, G&F are stocking lakes with Trout, that already have bass. Its a treat for the bass and the hardware guys are throwing big Swimbaits with success. I'm thinking your Con Man here in about 6-8 inches would be awesome Rainbow imitations so the bass will turn on to them. Do you think this pattern would make a good Rainbow Trout or do you have another Articulated pattern that might work better? Thanks for any advice.

[@fisher-of-men1547]

Probably one of the best Bluegill patterns I've ever seen !! Have you ever tried this fly for Largemouth Bass, or Musky ? Please keep the inspiring patterns coming. David M. Clunk Fisher-of-Men Fly Tying Ada, MI

[@johnaggers5852]

These large hooks are dangerous. We should be using hook point protectors to stop bleeding and thread breakage. Get some clear 18 gauge speaker wire, split it, strip the plastic insulation off, and cut the insulation into 1/4 to 3/8 sections. Put over the hook point and it will stay in place while tying the fly or holding and grooming the fly. Lamp cord would work but it is not transparent. Hollow Pony Bead Lacing carried by Michaels Crafts works (60ft for $3.99). Tube fly tubing will work if you have the right size.

[@sigurdurmarolafsson4183]

Is this the Saltwater Renzetti??? I have the traveller but I am wandering if I should get the saltwater or Clouser type. I used to love my HMH until the lip cracked on it but now it looks like they reinforced it ao I might get one of the replacement ones. But it is kind of funny that the cheap old Danvise is holding up great with the bigger hooks.

[@stovenpirates]

Gunnar if you were going to make this ride hook point up, what size/style hook and eye would you use? Could this fly be made belly scratcher style?

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

If you were to invert it, Belly Scratcher style would be the way to go for sure! I would decrease the wire size from a 1/0 Attitude Extra to something like a #1 Attitude Streamer hook. Unfortunately its rather hard to find short shank wide gap hooks in a thinner wire so you'll end up increasing the shank length and adding a few mm's to the fly. Something like a Daiichi 2461 might be a good substitute but that'll put your shank length at 3x long. Even though a B10's is rather thick wire, a size 1 or 2 would likely be the best option now that I've circled all the way back to it. I'd keep the eyes the same, 7mm - with the belly scratcher style, it won't be hard to invert

[@danjohnson2098]

awesome videos.appreciate the detail info.curious george...what happen to your peak?and what are you using now?Thankyou

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

My Peak is off to the side so I have an additional vice for allowing the tear mender to dry so I can keep cranking. Currently using a Renzetti Salt Water Traveler 2200

[@jedicazador]

Awesome tutorial! New sub here can't wait to give it a go

[@ozarkschillbilly2344]

Smooth tying. Do you not recommend putting small beads in-between the articulation?

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

On this style of fly, no, it not really necessary. The joint is not in place so that the fly will hinge, but simply an extension to the body to obtain an appropriate silhouette, while maintaining a short shank hook up front. The rear wire loop that connects the shank to the hook is tied in a way the reduces the shanks ability to hinge to reduce fowling. The fly overall is designed to dig left and right, where a hinged tail won't necessarily add more movement or life. If you were to increase the size of the fly, or articulate it with 2 hooks, I would add the bead to get a better spacing and hook placement.

[@williamkeith8875]

I tied a similar one using Lazer dubbing did not get any hits until I added a little blue in the throat

[@dwightfletcher8603]

man another!!!! great fly.

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Thanks man!

[@koestergaard]

@Gunnar, what scissors are you using in the video? Very nice tutorial 👌

[@tkcenterline1]

Very very nice job. Where did to get the tear mend.

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Check out Ace Hardware or any hardware store for that matter, you can also try Hobby Lobby, Michaels and various craft store - best to find it in person though and always shake the bottles before you buy them to make sure the glues hasn't set up which has happened to me before when buying online.

[@hillbillybassfisherman8181]

could you tie this fly on a bass worm hook so its weedless?

[@caryverhalen]

Fantastic 💖

[@chucklapine6782]

What weight fly rod do you cast this with? I have a hard time casting bulky flies.

[@glennplatvoet7111]

In looking at it I don't see blue and it needs orange bluegill have these colors .Preditor fish see colors! Ya know!

[@fishy4281]

could you use dumbell weights to add some weight to the fly?

[@riverlaskey2696]

What bobbin are you using and will these be available on your website

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

I using a "Mag" Right Bobbin in this vid, and the Con Men are currently up on the website.

[@rogermcjunkin5963]

You’re doing awesome job of trying to fly how about next time that you try this bug you slow down so I can see what you’re doing and thank you for doing it

[@hunter8turkey1]

Do you sell these? Thanks

[@tejano2828]

what can i sub for tgat coated nylon

[@jewishcoupon]

Are you related to Barb Brammer by any chance?

[@bogeymon73]

wondering what vice you are using?

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

This is Renzetti's Salt Water Traveler - C Clamp. Excellent vise with crazy holding pressure.

[@scottschroder8801]

New vise?

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Indeed, Renzetti Salt Water Traveler 2200

[@michaelglennon6056]

Nice

[@REZlostboyz]

Can a 6wt rod toss this?

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Most definitely, especially with the 1/8th inch zonker strips, if you go with a 1/4 inch it'll get a little heavy on you.

[@REZlostboyz]

Gunnar Brammer awesome! Thanks and great work.

[@nofotomojo]

kinda, kinda...

[@raymondzwick7570]

Hey man where do you get your fly tying material?