FLYMPH FORUM

Cased Grannom Killerbug Sekasa Kebari
Hook - Owner's Super Yamame Eyeless Hook (Japanese Hook Size 7)
Thread - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (Pale Olive / Well waxed)
Eye - Braided Jewelry Bead Cord (Black)
Hackle - Hen Ringneck Pheasant (Neck Hackle / Natural)
Abdomen - Tenkarabum's Utah Killerbug Yarn (strand of yarn was separated, before tying in, then the two ply are wrapped together)
Underbody - UTC Ultrawire (Copper / Medium)
Head - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (Pale Olive) - Coated with layer of Tack Free Clear Cure Goo and zapped with a UV light

Note - The head on this fly is tyed intentionally "plump". I wanted the head to appear to be a larva peeking out of a case.

Here are a couple photos of this fly underwater. If you look closely at the abdomen of the fly (bottom photograph), you can see some of the copper wire (underbody/weight) peaking thru the wool yarn. The yarn becomes semitransparent when it absorbs water.



It looks like the fly is hovering, but it is an optical illusion. The fly is actually setting at the bottom of a small acrylic tank. The refractive index of the material, creates a mirror effect, reflecting the image of the fly back up from below.


I like the way this fly rests on the bottom. I dropped the fly into the tank many times, and each time it hit the bottom, the photo shows the way the fly came to rest each time. I believe the hook point up rides upwards, due to the weight of the copper wire underbody and how the reversed (sekasa) hackle acts as a parachute, while the fly sinks to the bottom.

Excellent work, Ray -- both the tying and the photo setups.

Wow I think I'm going to try and duplicate this one! It's really cool looking and I like your thoughts on what it imitates.

Don't think I'll try the eyeless hook though.

Wayneb

Love it Ray.

Very sweet! And a bit of thought has gone into method of construction, top marks.

These have been very nice ties Ray. I love the look of the loop eye and it is something I would enjoy tying myself. I do however question the integrity of the loops overtime for fishing purposes and functionality.

Now I know they are used often traditionally and functionality wise may offer a more mobile presentation. Do you think that there is any mobile advantages to the loop as opposed to tying a fly on with a knot like the Duncan's Loop. Personally I think a Duncan's loop knot on an eyed hook may still offer more freedom of movement.

No criticism they are beautiful flies, just curious if you have maybe tied them both ways and have any opinion.

NOTE: I don't have any 4 piece rods to travel with to Roscoe. I am a little leery of checking in my long two pieces and have been playing with the idea of just coming with the Ito Tenkara rod. Though I am still in the learning process with it. But, then I could use it as an excuse for my poor casting ability.

Good questions Carl. I have thought about the same things, as I have been playing with these flies. I tend to use a Duncan loop every time I tye a fly on my leader (although I rarely use an open loop knot on a dry fly). In my opinion, open loop knots give a fly more freedom to move around, imparting more life into any sunk fly. I have never fished with these sorts of soft loopeye patterns, feel they would fish well. I am using man-made loop material (braided fishing line on one pattern and beading cord in this case). They are very strong, yet flexible. I would not be worried about durability. Had it been natural silk gut, I would have a different opinion. I've read that natural silk gut could become brittle when it dries out. Flies were often soaked, to soften the silk, preventing breakage.

I am interested in doing some tenkara flies with red colored soft loop eyes. The loop eye can easily serve as a high visibility post, making it easier to see the fly on the water. I have been playing with these flies in a small clear dunk tank, studying the way they behave when fished at the surface (think emerging insect). In this case, the loop eye may enhance the fish-ability of the fly. (yet unproven theory)

I have a number of fly rods and would happily bring an extra to Roscoe, for you to borrow. I have a two-handed 15 foot/12 weight spey rod which should be perfect.

I hope to get a tenkara rod before the Roscoe trip (depends on if I get a tax return from Uncle Sam - fingers crossed). If not, I may be begging you to try your tenkara rod for a few drifts. I am hoping to get a chance to watch Chris Stewart fish.

Ooooh...I have never spey cast a #16 soft hackle before. I do have 5-6 wt. 11' 4 piece switch rod that I had thought about. It might be a little heavy for the water? What do you think?

I have played with braided line before, I have had issues with it fraying and weakening. It is good for casting and strength but seems to weaken if there are any points of friction. I would be interesting in seeing if this is the case at the point of leader to loop eye connection. As far as the beading wire goes, strength would not be a problem, but the wire would most likely have a greater stiffness than the tippet material and thus have very little effect on the mobility of the fly compared to an eyed hook. Both would be basically dependent on the flexibility of the tippet.

Anyway, sorry I got off subject here. Beautiful ties and very worthy to cast to beautiful fish.

Carl - Actually, your switch rod would be an excellent choice for some of the water. Our friend VERN-O, fishes a similar switch rod in the Roscoe area. The switch rod would be a good choice in the areas with lots of tree cover in the back case. A switch rod would enable casts, that otherwise would be difficult. I fished one stretch, last spring, using only roll casts with my single hand fiberglass rod. The fish seemed to be holding a few feet beyond my casting abilities.

I am not using beading wire. The stuff I am using is a cord material, similar to a 20 lb backing. It is some sort of braided nylon (black). Very flexible and strong.

Not "off topic" at all. This is exactly the kind of discussion I was hoping for.

Ray;

Chris Stewart has some very reasonably priced Tenkara rods, I'm probably going to purchase a second rod from him soon.

Wayneb