Help with mylar tubing

E-type

Hey guys,

Does anyone know how this is tied. I won two of these in a raffle a month or two ago. My first thought was these will never work, hook is too small and placement will prevent hookup. Plus it will be a pain to cast. I was wrong on all counts. It acts like a wounded scaled sardine, floats when it hits the water but with a flouro leader it sinks on retrieve. Hooked snook and jacks no problem. But I lost it on a cennit (looks like a baby barracuda). It seems to have a thin dorsal rib of foam and is obviously mylar tubing.

I don't have any tubing that big (yet), but I can't figure out how they got the flat shape and tapered the front and back without the tubing getting all scrunched up. It feels firm, but is still flexible. The fish would hit it and hold on even when it wasn't moving. I'm guessing you cut a thin curved piece of foam for the dorsal and use some epoxy to glue it on the inside of the tubing, but what creates the taper on the front and the back without the material getting bunched up and the curve on the ventral side of the fly while maintaining the flat shape.

Before I ruin feet of mylar, swear and glue my fingers together I thought I'd ask. Any tips would be appreciated.

Carl Blackledge

E type,

I have caught Tarpon on that same fly. I had a guide from Key West harbor give me that same fly.

Instead of a marabou tail, mine a small flash tail.

Carl

lemaymiami

Here's the best bet I know of for a "how to" on quite a few patterns (from fresh to salt)... Think I've seen it there but you'll have to do a bit of research yourself..
http://www.flytyingforum.com/

Note: when I went there to copy the address it's shown as a Davy Wotten pattern, called a Davy Wotten Shad.

E-type

The Davy Wotten Shad got me going in the right direction. I found a YouTube video on it. A friend of mine who has tied commercially and was involved with some publications mentioned that to flatten I might have to iron the fly. I've got some material coming and hope I can duplicate it.

Thanks for th direction

lemaymiami

For what it's worth I use spring clothes pins or mini-clamps all the time when glueing eyes to flies (do one side at a time, allow to harden then do the other side). One or two of those mini clamps by Irwin would probably help you flatten out the body on that fly -no problem.

E-type

Thanks

saltydancindave

Haven't tied with mylar tubing for years, but having to use wax paper to compress epoxy which was painted on the outsides & so it soaked thru made it far less messy. Finding something like a couple of semi-hard sponges or bags of BB's would shape a fishy profile with pressure from a couple books or some clamped on paint stir sticks . A long piece of larger mono thru the middle of the mylar to tie on a marabou tail sometimes works better than just a marabou stem tied in on the hook. Using some larger mono to shape the mylar top & bottom along with plumping out the sides is another trick some used to tie.

saltybum

I would think using something like FabricFuse or a clear silicone caulk would cure to the shape you want but still remain flexible.
Do let us know what you get figured out.

E-type

The key is to use either Flexi-cord or EZ-Body. It is really simple. I tried just mylar cord and it was impossible. All you need to do is compress one end between your fingers and tie it off with mono cord whip finish or a couple half hitches. Then I put that end in the vice and tie a little marabou for a tail. On some I tied a little piece of foam for the dorsal of the fly. It helps it ride dorsal up. Some I didn't.

Then I insert a hook through the ventral surface and secure mono cord to the front of the hook. Bring the body forward pinch it down and tie it off. It automatically makes a fishy shape. From there just get creative with markers eyes, cheeks, etc. I used clear cure goo to secure everything. Thats it. I've tried them off the sea wall and they look good. Once it warms up a bit, I plan to try them for snook this week.