My first attempt at fly tying. It didn�t come out exactly like I wanted. LOL

That is a size 1 worm hook with skunk tail hair and a couple of craft feathers.

I tied the hair onto 50lb mono before attaching it to the hook.

I think I am going to try tying it again, but this time turn the hair around where the white tip of the hair will be one the tail end of the lure.

(I shot the skunk a couple of nights ago on my property. When I went out the next morning I noticed the skunk never sprayed. So I went and collected the hair off its tail. As course as the hair is, I am really curious as to how it will preform in the water. The next time I shoot a hog, I may collect some of its hair as well.)

Welcome to the world of fly tying. My first thoughts was it looks somewhat like a lady bug. I know another fly fisherman who uses a sinking lady bug pattern for sunfish. You should try shortening the tail and tying it on a size 8 or 10 hook. I bet it will catch sunfish.

It's always great to experiment. My most productive fly for sunfish, bluegill and particularly Rios is a variant I developed from a common pattern.

Well done for your first attempt.

The purpose of the #1 worm hook was for bass fishing. I have more luck with reds and blacks in the waters I fish. Foe me, the colors I choose were naturally advantageous.

Humorously, in the private waters I fish, the sun fish are just as likely to be caught using a number 1 worm hook as a number 8 or 10 size hook. Our sun fish are commonly caught on a number 3 worm hook using 3 inch plastics. I kid you not.


It�s amazing how two people can look the same thing and see different applications. To me, this is called diversity!! If I have learned anything in life, it is that diversity is one of our biggest strengths.

I am 100% going to take your advice and tie a smaller version for future use.

Would you say a black wooly bugger style with red feathers?

Thank you J-Moe!!

That sounds like a good plan. The hackle will resemble legs. Hope it works out.

Congratulations! Or maybe condolences are more appropriate??? Tying can be addictive and doesn't always stay cheap...

Save this fly and don't fish it. Use it as the benchmark to compare to your next flies. You'll be surprised how quickly you improve.



Not sure why you tied the hair to the mono? Skunk should be long enough to allow you to tie it directly to hook and that will save you some time and a tying step. For reference, the common proportions for the tail are to match the length of the hook's shank (the flat, straight part) or slightly longer.

It sounds like you tied the tail with the tips toward the hook. Since most hair tapers down toward the tip, the tip end of the hair is softer and moves better in the water (that equals better action underwater). So, the butt end of a hair tail (or hair wing for that matter) is usually tied to the hook instead of the tip end. This becomes more of an issue with smaller sized flies and the reason is easier to understand with thicker hair such as buck tail.

With all of that said, there are no rules in fly tying. Use whatever techniques and materials you want, as long as they are legal materials. However, learning the traditional techniques and proportions first will help you become a better and more versatile tyer quicker.

More like this??

How long are those skunk hairs? Are there white or cream colored ones? I like how they look. That tail of skunk looks good. It all looks good. If they are long enough, you could surely do a skunk clouser. Black over white or cream is a great
Combination.

That fly ought to catch fish. How�s it swim? Does it sink much or kind of hover? How long is it? Hard to tell without a reference point like a coin or something.

Great question. I was imitating what another person was doing.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Caoh6H2ycsI

Karstopo, the hair is about 4 inch long. All the hair above is skunk hair. My first fly was my attempt at a Clouser with the the worm hook. It didn�t go so well and I improvised.

I will be fishing them this weekend and will be able to tell you more.

As requested.

Mr. Rex, your the reason I tied the other two this evening. When you told my to save my first one, I took the advice. I thought you were craze at first, but you made me think.

Ps, I am going to have to get a second vice for my 7 year old.

Nicely done.

LOL. I have seen your work Rex. You set the bar pretty high!!

Mr. Tedrick�s videos have been a big help, he makes it look so easy.


Rex, thank you for the info on the animial hair. It makes perfect sense, I have just never thought about it. That also explains why the synthetics I have handled have been so fine, it helps with the action of the lure. I have a white fox tail that I may be using for a Mo-Better imitation later. Very fine hair that I will be saying not nice things to while tying them.

To answer your question, with the hair I was using, the white ends were the base. On other parts of the tail, the color is actually inverted and the black is thicker. So the picture of the one above with the cream color hair is thicker and more course. What I am going to compare this weekend is their buoyant properties and how the white and black pair perform.

J-Moe, I tied two more last night. I don�t have feathers for the smaller version that will emulate the wings/shell of the larger version. But I can remedy that problem. LOL.


That�s a good segway for the materials.

Rex, thank you for your comment on legal materials. That was very appropriate!! Fortunately, I am familiar with the state laws and I have about 300 volunteer hours with state and federal game wardens. If I have any doubt, I will still look it up.


To everyone, THANK YOU FOR THE GUIDANCE!!!!!!!!


Duane

http://oregonoutdoorexcursions.com/wordpress/choosing-hair-fly-tying/

I couldn�t find much on a quick search of skunk hair other than in some steelhead and salmon patterns.

https://www.bendbulletin.com/outdoors/6109527-151/steelhead-flies-the-skunk-origin-myth-revisited