Tying a Wombat Variant Steelhead Fly Pattern - Ep179 PF

[@hankvana2149]

Nice one Darren! Being bass orientated, I like this style of fly - I have a 11'6" switch rod that should be ideal for swinging these. I have been tying Intruders built as a single composite dubbing brush and it is working pretty well. I am experimenting with double-hooks (think they are the Mustad 7897DT) as I can slip the hook on to the shank after the fly is tied - saves messing with a tethered hook. Will let you know how it works. Thanks for posting! Cheers!

[@PiscatorFlies]

Thanks a million, Hank. Would you fish this one for bass? I need to spend more time with the composite brushes. I just never seem to have enough time. I did get some wire nippers so you won't cringe anymore. lol All the best!

[@hankvana2149]

​@@PiscatorFlies In the early part of the year, a 2 to 3 inch Wombat would be good for bass as you tied it. Orange/black is a good color combo for them (and for walleyes who are particularly sensitive to the orange part of the spectrum) - I think they take it as a sunfish. I like to fish a fly that is about 20% larger than the baitfish (seems that fish, like humans will also grab the biggest piece of pie on the table). Orange/black; yellow/olive; white/chartreuse; white/red; all white; and all black are the main colors that I carry and use depending on the light or water clarity. In the rivers I swing the fly the same way you would for steelhead; in the lakes I use a weighted leader (wire - darn pike!!) and fish close to the bottom along the deep weed edge or over rock humps. Darn, now you have done it - weather is miserable and now all I can think about is open water - thanks Darren ;-)

[@PiscatorFlies]

@@hankvana2149 awesome, yes, I think this would work really well for pike. I've always had lots of hit with walleye using chartreuse and white or silver. Cheers

[@joeduca8582]

Hi Hank! I looked up that 7897DT, they say it's for big tuna plugs. That's a great idea, slipping an open double on the shank. I have some open doubles used to thread on minnows with a baiting needle (when I visit the alternate universe ;o) and some for replacing blade bait hooks (Heddon Sonar - my favorite) Some are short shank, others longer. I can't see how the hooks I have wouldn't slide off or get crooked to the side. Unless the shanks of the doubles you have are formed so they touch, no space between the shanks. Still an awesome idea! Cheers buddy!

[@hankvana2149]

​@@joeduca8582 Hi Joe! Yeah, the Mustad number is wrong but the hook design/idea is the same - by my experience, there is no worry about them coming off. Because carrying a lot of large flies can be a pain, I like the idea that I can safely pack a bunch of Intruders into a ziploc bag and slip a hook in when I need one. I used the double hooks for the belly hook on the Spoonplug lures I used to make so I have several sizes handy. Think that the Spoonplug is the best trolling lure ever designed - they have been my go-to for decades. Blade baits are great lures as well - like the way you can fish them down a drop off and keep in touch with the bottom. We used to use threaded minnows when trolling for lake trout (and walleye) because they would often just nip at the end of the minnow - don't see people doing that any more. All blasphemous stuff to be discussing on a fly tying site - sorry Darren LOL! Cheers Joe!

[@kokid8311]

I would love to see more steelhead fly like this one. I enjoy watching and learning from your videos. keep em coming....

[@PiscatorFlies]

Thanks a million, Kyle. It's great to have you stop by the channel and thanks for the feedback on the pattern selection. All the best!

[@kokid8311]

My pleasure. You do a great job of explaining all the steps in a way thats easy for a new tyer like myself to understand. I watch my inbox for new videos and get especially excited when the pattern is one that will work for steelhead in the great lakes tribs where i fish the most.

[@angelvalentin8204]

That hook setup it’s a great idea and that fly pattern is really nice, thanks

[@PiscatorFlies]

Thanks for stopping in, Angel. Cheers and Keep a hook in your vise!

[@minkos61]

Very cool tye Darren

[@PiscatorFlies]

Thanks Ernie!

[@hardyschlegel1048]

Great looking fly! I usually fold a piece of painting tape over the hook so I don't impale my finger. Thanks for sharing.

[@PiscatorFlies]

Thanks for stopping in, Hardy. I haven't tried that before, but good to know another way to skin that cat. Cheers, keep a hook in your vise!

[@joshholmes-pohle1012]

Always enjoy the videos, thank you

[@PiscatorFlies]

Thanks a million, Josh Bob. It's great to have you stop by the channel. All the best!

[@stevetrybalski3082]

Nice fly as always. I see it is time to add more material to tying stash!

[@PiscatorFlies]

Hehe, it never ends Steve. Cheers

[@davidhughes2622]

Hi from Rolla MO 🎣🤠 Dave Hughes. Very nice job. I was just impressed. Thanks for your time and knowledge, have a good New Year.. have you thought of a glass rattle in the body. Have a great year.

[@stevetrybalski3082]

Can you post a link on how tye the shank. I did not see anything in the description. Thanks.

[@PiscatorFlies]

Steve, thanks for letting me know I forgot that kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2Obqn9nnLBkiLc

[@stevetrybalski3082]

Thanks , watching it right now.

[@magamaga8649]

being hot orange combo would this be a good fly for salt water species?

[@PiscatorFlies]

Thanks a million, Maga Maga. I'm not sure about this being a good color for saltwater, I might try it in some colors that mimic baitfish a little closer like olives and tan and a bit of silver perhaps. All the best!

[@johnwalker6603]

Very nice sir! Don’t use marabou much, I’ll have to give this one a try

[@PiscatorFlies]

Thank you John Walker. I love using Marabou for flies, lots of great movement in the water. Thank you for stopping by the channel. Cheers

[@joeduca8582]

Chimo Darren. Awesome looking pattern, nice change up from all the chromies and perdigons ;o) You like wire for your "freaks on a leash" right? You ever use braided super lines for the tether? Now I have to ask HV2 the fine points of those doubles he slides on the shank :o/ Cheers buddy and thanks!

[@PiscatorFlies]

Chimo Joe. I have used braids before but I didn't feel that they were stiff enough to hold the hook at a good angle to hook up. The wire doesn't really move too much and keeps the hook more or less in the fringe of the marabou. If the braid has enough stiffness, I'd be game to give it a try. Good luck in pursuit of the doubles. Cheers

[@joeduca8582]

@@PiscatorFlies Roger that. I don't remember the wire you use, I'll have to go to the link. I have some Mustad and Eagle Claw doubles from # 4 or 6 to even #16 that I got at the $ store. I've been trying to tie flies on them but the shanks are set apart not fused like the salmon doubles are. Hank is a gem (so are you for letting us ramble ;o), that's a great idea but I can't see how the doubles I'm familiar with can stay on an articulated shank unless the hook's 2 shanks are formed so they touch. Anyway I haven't heard of Spoonplugs in so long I forgot about them, and he makes his own! Thanks and cheers!

[@hankvana2149]

:-)