Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Sili-Joint Synthetic Minnow


Recipe

Hook: Mustad 3366 (Size 2 or 4)
Thread: White Flat Waxed Nylon
Tail: White Wing n' Flash Fibers
Body: White Wapsi Palmer Chenille
Eye: Doll Eyes
Weight: 10 wraps .025 lead
Head: Clear Loctite Silicone

I initially tied this pattern in early 2009 as a version of Ward Bean's Articulated Streamer. I chose to use Palmer Chenille over hackle because the chenille is far more durable and it has a nice sparkle to it. I don't like flies that fall apart, I'm all about making sure the stuff I tie is as durable as possible. Plus, feathers are super expensive!

After I got the initial pattern worked out, Joe Cornwall posted his Murdich Minnow pattern on Fly Fish Ohio. Once I saw the silicone I knew he was on to something. Palmer Chenille is a great material, but I'm not a huge fan of it's action in the water.

Silicone is a great material because it holds on to the eyes like you wouldn't believe. It is very durable and has a very realistic feel - kind of squishy. Joe Cornwall was right on with this discovery (he uses a Liquid Nails product).

I use 2, Mustad 3366 hooks just like Ward did with his original hackled Articulated Streamer pattern, but I bridge the hooks together with fly line backer instead of mono.

The front portion of this streamer is greased with silicone, but in the tail portion the Palmer Chenille is left loose - business in front, party in the back! The tail of this streamer dances just like a jointed Rapala!

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