squid pattern

[stevec]

I was wondering if anybody can suggest a good squid pattern, ie manuf., color, size.

When is the best time to use such a pattern?

[David Churbuck]

I had a lot of luck this spring with a Shady Lady Squid. I found the pattern in Bob Popovic's Pop Flyes. I modified it and tied it on a single hook.

Here's a link:
pattern (http://www.stripersurf.com/flyguy/shadylady.html)

[StriperSniper]

Blues,
Are you fishing squid patterns off SI ??? I've never had any luck with them...( I know they work everywhere else) but if you're looking for good squid patterns Popovics is a good place to start and you might want to try Tabory's Snake fly (Kinda looks like a squid..I quess)

It's that time of year again.....

See ya out there

[stevec]

snipe

I will be using the pattern up north in RI or Conn later this year....I hope. Caught a small striper on the channel side of the point Saturday morning ( pops bendback). That was it for fishing...too much rain and wind. Did you ever fish in the "bogs". Looks like a good area for weaks. Shielded from the wind for the most part

[StriperSniper]

Blues,
I've fished the bogs a few times and you can get weakies but you have to careful..there are some pretty big holes there that you don't see until u step in one. I've also had a few Stripers and Blues..I've always done well on the beginning of the incoming.

As for Fly selection...Deceivers,Clousers, Half & Half's as well as some Sand Eel patterns are a good ticket for fish

[stevec]

Sniper,
Thanks for the warning about the bogs. I noticed some uneven contours so just avoided them. Going to try out there tonight maybe with bait. Winds will be rough....not good for a beginner with a fly rod
I think I will p/u a squid pattern just in case. I hope to go north next year for the early season.
I recently purchased a Rogers Big eye in Black 3/0; That thing is going to a striper killer, I can feel it.

[John Rider]

Blues, I've recently tied up a number of different squid patterns - The Shady Lady that Dave sent you, and several from Lefty's SW fly book.
Here's the feedback on them. The Shady Lady doesn't look like it will hold up very well. Lots of Ostrich and maribou will tear easily. Tying stuff together and then putting them on the shank is awkward. This pattern looks great when done, though and the tubing idea is very realistic. Worth the time to gain experience with these techniques.
Popovic's patterns in Lefty's book are all tied on heavy mono first. I tried this and got real frustrated tieing stuff on there and then lashing the mono to the hook. I used two vises and tried it a number of ways, but you can't use a bobbin in the usual manner 'cause the other vise or whatever is in the way.

The best pattern I found is in Lefty's book and is actually on the cover. It is tied conventionally on the shank - and looks durable. Lefty recommends it also.

Thread is pink. Six long white saddles with pink dots on each feather, two pink rubber bands go on the tail. 1/4 inch of pink chenelle, 1/2 inch of white chenelle go on the body. This should leave 1/2 the shank free. Tie in a pink zonker strip and wind forward to the eye and tie off. Make sure the rabbit has long fur because you want it to flow back to the hook bend. Past on 1/4 inch doll eyes w. epoxy, goop whatever. This is the most streight forward tied squid.

I didn't like the rabbit so came up with this - It's very realistic but time consuming. I replaced the rabbit with some suprehair on each side, only. Then I slipped a large dia. piece of mylar piping over the hook - just long enough to go back to the eyes. This is just tied in at the hook eye and flows back over the superhair. I then coated the mylar with 5 min epoxy. Just when it began to set, I flattened it to look like the mantle of the squid. A second coat gave it a great finished and realistic look.

The best hook is the Tiemco 911S popper hook for any of these patterns.

Hope this helps.