I have been tying some flies for Chuam recently, and decided to do up some of my simple, yet effective pencil flies.
I call the a pencil fly, because it is a high floating fly like a popper, but has a pointed head like a pencil/walking bait. Rather that pop, it jumps/walks on the surface. I luv fishing poppers, but with any wind at all, they become a nightmare to cast. Also, most poppers come in straight when retrieved or popped; this fly has a little side to side walking sliding action. It is really easy to tie--evidenced by the fact that I tied this one without a vice. Here is what you need to tie it:
Hook of your choice--mine was an Gamakatsu "Outbarb" (reversed barb) tuna hook. Even with this heavy hook, the pencil fly floats high in the water.
Next, you need some EVA foam. This is not the hypalon used on most saltwater rods, but rather the much lighter EVA material used on most bass rods. It is lighter than cork, and much more durable/flexible.
I buy this in bulk for my rod building business, and always have scraps laying around. But you can buy a round (unshaped) piece at a tackle store for a few bucks, which means the material used in one fly is just a few yen (cents).
Cut a piece like in the pic, but DO NOT cut the 'head' part to a point. You will be stretching the mylar tubing over the material, and do not want ANY EVA material in the last 1/4 inch, as you will be shaping the head to a point, then tying off with thread.
I flare out the tail side by hand, and tie off with silver thread. Then I insert the piece of EVA, pointy side to the tail. Once inside, and straight (this is important!), pierce the other side of the EVA with the hook, like your were threading on a plastic worm.
If all looks straight, simply tie off the nose of the fly. The hook will be securely anchored to the inside of the fly (EVA ).
Now the fly is beginning to take the shape of a baitfish. I colored the back of this one with a blue Sharpee (back) and I did the tail with a black Sharpee.
I put some waterproof superglue on the tail outline, then cut out the tail with a pair of scissors. If you do not coat with superglue, the tail will unravel, which is not necessarily a bad thing...
I put some stick on red eyes, and coated the head with waterproof superglue. The body need not be coated, as the fly is securely anchored to the EVA insert, which is firmly attached to the hook.
I mentioned the importance of keeping everything straight. If you have done so, it will be balanced properly for the water test...
The finished fly, no frills, not pretty, but a producer (for me) offshore (dorado, skipjack, small bigeye and yellowfin tuna) fish getter.
If all went well, when you drop it in the water, it will float correct (not lay to one side). Notice how high the EVA makes this fly float out of the water. It will ride still higher in salt water.
If the balance is off, and it floats on its side (like the first dozen or so I tied!) it will still catch fish, but instead of skipping/darting on the surface, it will have a tendency to dig in once and a while. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, in some cases.
, a flyfishing rod set up. Good work G. I was going to make up a bunch of foam poppers and buy myself a fly set up but then I saw how expenisive that shit was and said fuck that. Also seems easy but most good things do till you try it. PM me your address Ill send you some shit that way.
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