Very nice work on that old pattern... Along with them you might want to cobble up a few more - without eyes or head ("blind bitters"), so that they land quietly as possible for really shallow, spooky fish that shy away from regular bitters. Bitters work some days - then not on others, strictly depending on the fish and how nervous they are that day...
Very nice work on that old pattern... Along with them you might want to cobble up a few more - without eyes or head ("blind bitters"), so that they land quietly as possible for really shallow, spooky fish that shy away from regular bitters. Bitters work some days - then not on others, strictly depending on the fish and how nervous they are that day...
Bob I tied some with bead chain and I made another batch with plastic eyes like you'd use on a tarpon toad. Even tied a couple bigger #4s incase the permit like them too.
ODC idk if I tied the properly yet. I guess I will find out come August when the bones either eat them up or give me the cold shoulder
That's a great white bait pattern - any fish that eats pilchards, herring, or sardines should take that bug the moment it comes near...
Thanks Bob. I've been using that, or a variation of it most of the season (which has been pretty incredible). It's durable, effective, and I can launch it with a 9wt.
Depends on the eyes. I use an impact resistant goop style adhesive if I'm using acrylic eyes like the one in the bottom photo. If I'm using laminate eyes that have an adhesive on the back, I'll use a q-tip with denatured alcohol to remove it before gluing them in place. The problem isn't your glue (probably), it's the adhesive they use on the backs of the eyes. That being said, I never use CA adhesives. They can't take a hit.
I had the same problem with eyes falling off, then started using E6000 glue. Water proof, clear, and tough. Have had Tarpon destroy the fly, but the eyes stay on. Get at Walmart.
I had the same problem with eyes falling off, then started using E6000 glue. Water proof, clear, and tough. Have had Tarpon destroy the fly, but the eyes stay on. Get at Walmart.
I use Loctite gel from Walmart. It has held up the best for me. As a bonus I can also use it to glue down coral frags in my aquarium. Only wish it came in a bigger bottle.
As always some great looking bugs on this thread.... Mike (fishing pervert? hmmm) I think that although the hooks aren't what's worked for you in the past - the fish might just surprise you and eat everyone you toss near them...
As far as gluing eyes goes.... The best I've found to date is still Fletch-Tite, a tube of glue meant for attaching the feathers to arrows... It's available at any shop that has archery supplies (my local Bass Pro shop...)or (more recently...) I've been picking it up on the 'net on E-Bay. The stuff comes with a long thin end that perfectly applies a single dot of glue if you're careful on natural or synthetic materials and holds while the rest of the fly is getting shredded...
Here's my routine... Like others have found, those really great looking holographic eyes have never held up well for me in actual use... so I went to hard plastic doll eyes - the kind that come with a plastic post at the back that you have to clip off... Here's a pic or two (they're the same eyes Puglisi uses for many of his baitfish patterns...). Finger mullet flies on 3/0 hooks
Feather mullet (a Seaducer variation) size 1/0... Note the wire weedguards on each fly.. They're going to the Everglades...
These eyes come in different sizes (in mm. sizing, and with different background colors -white, yellow, tan, orange, red... all with a black center) and I've found them in fly shops, craft shops, etc. At wholesale you can even find them by the 1000 per size (very cheap).
For gluing up eyes I'll have a half dozen or more clothes pins handy (or a few Irwin micro clamps)... After a dot of glue on only one side of the fly I attach the eye then use a spring clothes pin or clamp to hold it in place firmly - then set it aside for five minutes or so - and I'll usually do at least a half dozen flies - just one sided... After at least five minutes I remove the clothes pin and glue the other eye on - then replace that clothes pin or clamp. Five or ten minutes later you can remove the clamp or pin and the fly is ready to go... I found that doing only one side at a time is very quick and that it's much easier to do the other side after the first side is in place solidly.. I like to have my eyes as symmetrical as possible... and I'm always looking for ways to speed production (even though I'm not tying for shops any more...).
Replies
Large crab imitation for tarpon and big permit floating In the channels.
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Trying new popper heads.
Marine Surveyor, SAMS-SA, ABYC
Wilson Yacht Survey, Inc
Old Bahama Bay (Owner / Board of Directors)
#8 bonefish bitters ready for Turneffe Flats, Belize in August
Bob LeMay
(954) 435-5666
ODC idk if I tied the properly yet. I guess I will find out come August when the bones either eat them up or give me the cold shoulder
Tis the season. A single high tie and a dubbing loop. 5 minute fly.
Bob LeMay
(954) 435-5666
Same pattern, different profile.
Depends on the eyes. I use an impact resistant goop style adhesive if I'm using acrylic eyes like the one in the bottom photo. If I'm using laminate eyes that have an adhesive on the back, I'll use a q-tip with denatured alcohol to remove it before gluing them in place. The problem isn't your glue (probably), it's the adhesive they use on the backs of the eyes. That being said, I never use CA adhesives. They can't take a hit.
New house, new lake, first offering for the dummies out back. #4
As far as gluing eyes goes.... The best I've found to date is still Fletch-Tite, a tube of glue meant for attaching the feathers to arrows... It's available at any shop that has archery supplies (my local Bass Pro shop...)or (more recently...) I've been picking it up on the 'net on E-Bay. The stuff comes with a long thin end that perfectly applies a single dot of glue if you're careful on natural or synthetic materials and holds while the rest of the fly is getting shredded...
Here's my routine... Like others have found, those really great looking holographic eyes have never held up well for me in actual use... so I went to hard plastic doll eyes - the kind that come with a plastic post at the back that you have to clip off... Here's a pic or two (they're the same eyes Puglisi uses for many of his baitfish patterns...).
Finger mullet flies on 3/0 hooks
Feather mullet (a Seaducer variation) size 1/0... Note the wire weedguards on each fly.. They're going to the Everglades...
These eyes come in different sizes (in mm. sizing, and with different background colors -white, yellow, tan, orange, red... all with a black center) and I've found them in fly shops, craft shops, etc. At wholesale you can even find them by the 1000 per size (very cheap).
For gluing up eyes I'll have a half dozen or more clothes pins handy (or a few Irwin micro clamps)... After a dot of glue on only one side of the fly I attach the eye then use a spring clothes pin or clamp to hold it in place firmly - then set it aside for five minutes or so - and I'll usually do at least a half dozen flies - just one sided... After at least five minutes I remove the clothes pin and glue the other eye on - then replace that clothes pin or clamp. Five or ten minutes later you can remove the clamp or pin and the fly is ready to go... I found that doing only one side at a time is very quick and that it's much easier to do the other side after the first side is in place solidly.. I like to have my eyes as symmetrical as possible... and I'm always looking for ways to speed production (even though I'm not tying for shops any more...).
Bob LeMay
(954) 435-5666