Blueback herring flatwing

[mgustav]

Here's a Blueback herring flatwing that I based on this drawing of a Blueback.
Boarmt., I like your primer. I would like to add to it that Trey Combs Big Game and Gamakatsu SC15 hooks are excellent hooks along with the Eagle Claw for flatwings. They are just as light, have a similar profile. The SC15 has even a shorter shank but they are much more expensive. Also, they don't rust. http://www.panix.com/~pg/bluebacks.jpg
One of the beauties of Abrame's style flatwings is that they fill in with water and take on a fuller, flexible shape that allows the colors in the streamer to mix and glow as it weaves through current. This is why they are not tied full but sparse. If they were tied full, water would not expand the body and color wouldn't blend. Large amounts of material prevent the water to mix with the materials. These streamers don't fish well when constantly stripped because the stripping forces the fly to condense to a narrower profile. They are meant to drift and meander in their environment of current. The action rendered by mending is enough to give these flies their additional life-like movement. Therefore, a particular way of fishing is required to use these streamers effectively. This, however, is not new to fly fishing: different flies and methods are required for different types of waters and situations. The saltwater flyfisher must truly study his water like trout fishermen study their streams. Baitfish have varying colors and sizes in different places. Their colors change as the sun moves accross the sky or by the color of the water on any given day. I mainly fish the backbays of Moriches Bay. I have found that large flatwings are not as effective as smaller flatwings and hairwings on stripers. I will keep trying to use larger ones now and then to keep in touch with the bass' preferences though.

[boarmountain]

Good looking fly. Can we get a bigger pic of it?

[mgustav]

http://www.panix.com/~pg/bluebacklg.jpg

[striblue]

Nice Mike...looks like a good capturing of the natural color breakdown.

[Sedotti]

Dear M,
The people who I know who have caught the largest stripers consistently in Moriches Bay swear that the key to doing this there is a fly that "pushes" water really well. And they design their flies with this primarily in mind. Joe Gregory has been the most successful of anyone there I know of (and I know a bunch, and I've fished there a lot too, I know the area) and he said he tried a lot of things before settling on this. His all bucktail flies really are very bulky at and near the head. I think Joe's biggest fly caught bass was 48 or 46 pounds, and he's caught other very big ones over he years there. Various fly fishermen from all over the East Coast have told me that flies that push water are a key (not a small number say THE key) in catching bigger stripers. I studied this in preparation for an article I did a few years ago. You're lucky to live and fish there.
Merry Christmas,
Mark

[Sedotti]

I saw your clipped deer hair head herring below. Did I write too soon? Anyway, I think Joe Gregory's fly would push even more water (maybe much more) than a Catherwood fly. Maybe you know Joe, and are on top of this already. Ypou tie nicely.
Mark

[mgustav]

Thanks for the insights, I will look into them. When I moved out here last year from Manhattan I found an article by you about fishing Moriches in the winter. I found it encouraging. There is a permanent population of stripers in the bay as well. I mostly wade off of the point at the coast guard station or kayak over to the inlet and the surrounding back beaches. There are some great spots in front of the inlet for sight casting at low tide. Another favorite spot is the mouth of the Forge river.
The most productive striper fly I used this fall was an all black 6" Eel punt fly with a very thick and flowing hackles. This fly moves water too. It also worked very well out front. I don't know Joe Gregory's fly. But I am thinking that a fly like Tubory's Snake Fly and variations thereof is a direction.http://www.panix.com/~pg/eelpunt.jpg

[Sedotti]

The Coast Guard station is a great place to fish. Many anglers have gotten big fish wading there, especially at night. Joe Gregory's fly is five inches long. Many other good anglers use flies 7 or 8 inches, like Capt. John Killen, or Capt. Richie Vitale. Check out Killen's fly in that Amato book about guides reccomondations on fishing specific places along the entire East Coast. I forgot the name of the publication. Paul Dixon is in there, Ian Devlin too, besides Killen, and others. Charlie Pulver, another good fisherman there, likes flash flies, like Gene Quigley's, or Ray Stachelac's, made of the Angel Hair like material, or Skok's Mega Mushy. His flies are 6 to 10 inches long. Others, like Capt. Tommy Cornicelli, like 5 or 6" Bozo Hair flies. I like the 6" white feather Slammer, but I would like it to push more water. Many fishermen swear buy white flies at Moriches. You tie very nicely!
All My best,
Mark

[rel]

mgustav- That's a great looking eel punt. Since you also can do great looking muddler style flies try adding a mudler head to the eel punt and you'll have the fly that worked so well for me this fall. Ron

[mgustav]

Gotcha.

[mgustav]

Mark, thanks for the information. What I like about the CG station is that big fish move in there and the bottom changes a lot after each storm. It keeps a fisherman on his toes and builds ones ability to identify structure changes, if one is inclined to do so.

[Time Flies]

Mark,

I agree with the push of the head discussion you added above. It makes sense since the fuller head makes an eddy pocket of turbulent water behind where the longer tail materials can wiggle within. I mentioned in another discussion my preference for fuller flatwing patterns in swifter water. They fill with water better if the head is fuller, stouter and maintains its shape in the flow. Larger varieties can even be weighted a bit to cast better. It adjusts for the density of the whole fly which is comprised of lighter material.

Tom K

[Sedotti]

That's not the primary reason for attracting the fish with a head that pushes water. It doesn't have to do with action of the fly. It's the waves and vibrations from this head that cause attracting fish vibrations in the water.
Mark

[tonal]

That's interesting. I am curious what evidence you use to support your claim.

thanks

[mgustav]

What type of water are we addressing here? A river, creek, inlet, saltpond or the crashing waves at the edge of the beach, powerful rips?

[Time Flies]

Large tide rips are where I like to use the full-headed flies. I personally do not care if it is the pressure surge that attracts the fish or the extra action of the streaming material behind the fly head. Catching fish is the key!

Tom K

[Sedotti]

I spoke too quickly. I think some bulk in front of a flatwing type fly might give it even more suductive action, and draw even more hits from this. With the "push" of more water you would have a fly with even more going for it. Twice the punch, as they say. Many fishermen I've interviewd, and who catch really big stripers on fly, swear by that fly "pushing" water well. I've come accross this again and again. Why not try both? Non pushing, and pushing? It's all fun.
Happy New Year,
Mark

[boba]

Cut down a bit on the black and dark blue, add some light blue and pink near the top and that would make one heck of a freshwater smelt fly too! At least for the Penobscot.
Nice tie!

[thynnus]

Mgustav - doe you have the recipe for that fly? looks really good, you seem to have nailed the colors.

[mgustav]

Hook: 1X short

Thread: white

Tail: white bucktail under white neck (curve up) under pink flashabou under yellow saddle (curve down) under blue flashabou under fluorescent blue saddle (curve down) purple flashabou under black saddle (curve down)

Body: Pearl braid

Throat: 70/30 blend of long white and pink bucktail

Wing: 50/50 blend of purple and blue bucktail

Cheeks: 50/50 blend of long pink and yellow bucktail

Eyes: jungle cock

[thynnus]

Thanks!!!!