Thank you very much! Lekker!
Hi,
I had a request to post a step by step of a foam locust I tied.
Hook: Penn 700CSB 4/0
Tail: Red and black buck tail
Wing: Red and black buck tail
Body: 2mm Foam
Legs: Plastic cord
1. Mark out a body shape on 2mm foam to make the abdomen. I used Dark for the top and light for the bottom, but the same color can be used for both. The bottom part needs to be longer than the top.
_DSC0948.jpg
2. I used fluorescent green and yellow plastic cord for the hind legs (the kind kids use). Tie and overhand knot with both colors and then trim one tag end off. Tie another overhand knot for the foot. I varnished the knots a little to prevent them from coming undone. The two sets of front legs are made in the same way with a single strand and three knots a side. Cut the plastic at an angle to make the feet.
_DSC0941.jpg
_DSC0943.jpg
_DSC0944.jpg
_DSC0945.jpg
_DSC0949.jpg
3. The abdomen needs to be made separately. I tie mine on a tool used to clean bobbin holders, but a thick needle or any thin, stiff wire will do. The body will be slid off the wire once tied, so keep this in mind.
_DSC0955.jpg
4. Start by tying in some buck tail. I used red followed by black. Then tie in the two foam pieces that you prepared earlier. Continue tying in each segment; first the bottom foam, then the top foam, then you hold both pieces of foam back and wrap the thread forward, under the foam, to the next segment.
_DSC0957.jpg
_DSC0959.jpg
5. Once you have tied 6 segments, you can tie off. Now slide the abdomen off the wire and mark a point where the hook needs to come through (see the faint blue dot in the picture to the left).
Once the hook has been pushed through, tie the buck tail to the shank of the hook and you can now continue tying the segments as before.
_DSC0962.jpg
_DSC0966.jpg
6. After eight segments, tie the top foam down and trim the excess. Keep the bottom piece of foam as is (don’t trim).Tie in some more buck tail and add the back legs.
_DSC0970.jpg
7. Tie in the next set of legs and then bring the bottom foam forward and tie another segment. Then tie in the final piece of buck tail for the wing; I used black again. Next cut a piece of foam that will be used for the thorax and the head. Tie in the final set of legs and then tie in the thorax/head foam. You can now continue the last two segments with the bottom piece of foam so that the thread is by the eye of the hook.
_DSC0973.jpg
_DSC0974.jpg
8. To make the eyes, cut a thin strand of black foam. Cut the top thorax foam to length so that it can be folded back, underneath itself to make the head. The thorax foam must be folded around the strip of black foam to make the eyes and then head can then be tied down just behind the eyes. The head can be pushed back so that you can whip finish the fly.
_DSC0975.jpg
9. Trim the eyes flush with the head foam and cut a “V” in the tag end of the bottom foam to make the mandibles. The eye of the hook is hidden between the head foam and the “mandibles”.
_DSC0978.jpg
This is a big fly (8 – 9 cm) and lands with a nice big plop on the water.
Thank you very much! Lekker!
Bubble, Bubble, Bubble and Squeak...I think this mixture is too weak!!!???" (Wrex Tarr)
Very nice!
Gerrit Viljoen
Cell | WhatsApp: 071 629 1058
Email: gerrit@yellowfish.co.za / gerrit@thebeasttamer.co.za
Web: www.yellowfish.co.za / http://yellowfish.co.za/the-beast-tamer/
nice fly, what are you targeting with it?
---------------------------------------------
http://wildjohannesburg.blogspot.com
The short answer; Large mouth yellows
The story behind this fly actually started about 10 odd years ago.
We were at a place called "Die Mond" in the Ceres Karoo and the milkweed locusts were out in full force.
We were standing on top of a sheer cliff (about 8 meters up) and these locusts were falling on the water.
I have always thought they were "un-palatable", but I watched in amazement as they were smashed by large Clanwilliam yellows (i would guess 7-8kgs).
Ever since then, I have always wanted to tie something like this.
I haven't fished them yet, but I am off to the Orange in Oct, so if there are locusts (and largies) are around, hopefully I will come right ...
That's a beaut. Designed specifically for Bass in a certain area, judging by the size?
"Hierdie drol het baie vlieë" - Ago 2014.
Ya, probably so, I have also used a large locust for trout when the rivers are high. Interesing about Die Mond... I haven't thought of using a large locust there, normally fished much smaller patterns, but next time Im there, will give it a try.
This is a very nice tie, thanks .
Disclaimer.... none of my posts are intended to be "expert advice"..just opinions from someone who is willing to help where he can.
Here are some tied in the more traditional black and red (the ones I mentioned seeing at Die Mond).
IMG_2385.jpg
"Hierdie drol het baie vlieë" - Ago 2014.
Bookmarks