Vinyl Rib Mud Charlie

**rory** · 08-01-09

Materials:
Hook: Saltwater hooks. Size 2 and 4 are the most popular
Thread: 3/0 or 6/0 olive or similar
Eyes: Bead chain or Dumbbell
Body: Chenille, Larva lace or Vinyl rib
Wing: Calf or Buck tail, Hackle tips and Flashabou/Crystal flash

When tying the eyes onto the top of the hook shank, make sure there is enough space between the eyes, and the eye of the hook to be able to tie in all the other materials. The eyes that I've used in this sequence are Tungsten Dumbbells, tied onto the shank and then spray painted black. For extra strength and durability, I then coat them with a thin layer of 5 min epoxy. I've included some flash under the body to create a more translucent effect as well.

Step 1: Starting behind the eyes, tie in the Vinyl rib. In this sequence the colour is olive. Make sure the flat side of the rib is flush with the top of the shank and the rounded edge on the very top.(ie.the round edge must point up) Advance the thread to behind the eyes.

Step 2: Tie in two strands of flashabou behind the eyes. In this sequence the colour is gold.

Step 3: Wrap the flashabou over the vinyl rib back towards the bend in the hook, and then wrap it forward to the eyes. When tying the flashabou off, make sure the thread is left placed between the eyes and the hook eye.

Step 4: Wrap the vinyl rib over the flashabou. Its important to finsh the vinyl wraps over the top of the eyes and NOT on the under side! The under side of the hook must be kept open for all the wing material to be tied in. If the Vinyl doesn't end up in the correct position, unwind it, and rewind from a position slightly further back on the hook bend. Whip finish and cement the thread wraps.

Step 5: Turn the hook upside down to tie in the wing material. First tie in a bunch of tail material for the wing.

Step 6: Tie in a couple of strands of Flash material. The colour I've used in this sequence is called "Rainbow".

Step 7: Tie in 2 or more Hackle tips on each side of the wing, splayed to the outside. Whip finish and tie off.

The guys in the latest fly swop will be receiving one of these!!

**redhumpy** · 08-01-09

Would love to try that in the estuary at Port St Johns. Grunter se moer!

**frikb** · 08-01-09

Nice one Rory.
Do you have a pic from the top. I'm never sure where to tie off that bulky stuff.

**rory** · 08-01-09

Originally Posted by frikb

Nice one Rory.
Do you have a pic from the top. I'm never sure where to tie off that bulky stuff.

No problemo, let me see what I can organise.

**poppernel** · 08-01-09

HI Rory,

Great pattern that, gave one to Jauno or Ettienne (can't remember) while they were down. That charlie is a fish taker down here. Would love to have one by you in the said fly swap.

Dave