Flounder Around - New top feather

[striblue]

After more searching I have now done away with the Mallard Flanks feather and have switched the top of this fly with Micro Fleck Turkey flats feathers. The photo shows the feather along side a new flounder around in the beginning process of completion. The feather on the fly is creme color and the full feather next to it is Tan. These feathers are the more realitic than the mallard flank which you can see for yourself. Easy to put on to and easy to trim. They are fuller to give the entire fin shape I want.

[scruffy_fish]

How would that feather look imbeded into your epoxy flounder? I bet it would look great. you could lay it on just before the epoxy kicks.
Love your innovative ideas.

[striblue]

Good Idea.... It might still be transparent but give the top a visual distinction with the sandy bottom..I will have to try it. It may also give the epoxy some additional strength instead of the suggested nylon. I am really going to focus on these type of flys in the dead of summer on the Monomoy flats as something different , Cast into the path of some moving fish...let it drop... hold it steady, if possible ,on the bottom...let the fish swim over and then twitch it...and see if it can draw one fish . Along the Channel at the Crib..this type of presentation may be good...or, If I see fish moving toward me at different intervals just to vear off as they get close( which is usual)... I may simple cast it in the area... and let it just stay there, as though I was bait fishing.... and wait.. Avoid the frantic cast..... but I will use an 8 pound floro tippet as well with a clinch knot...not the usual non-slip mono.

[kujo24]

Striblue,

I am not sure if you are familiar with Oliver Edwards, but he uses stockings that he sprays with some sort of glue to make them stiff, but still flexible. He mentions this method in his book Flytyer's Master Class. The technique that he uses is interesting, he takes one of those wooden rings that women use for needle point?, stetches the stocking over the ring, sprays it, let's it dry and then cuts the desired shape out. This may work for your flounder body. Maybe you could attach the stocking for the flouder by using the flexible glue TYguy speaks of and not glue the top portion of the fly that is visible to the fish. Just an idea. The book can be found at many fishing shops.

[striblue]

Thanks Kujo... worth thinking about... for the all epoxy flounder.. Never thought of that.

[tyguy]

Interesting idea, stretching the nylon stocking on an embroidery ring and coating it. Hmmmm... I feel the need for an experiment coming on. :)

Striblue, I like the Micro Fleck Turkey flats feathers alot better, very real look to it. You are really nailing a perfect flounder imitation!! :cool:

Keep up the good work!

[striblue]

Thanks...here is what a final fly looks like.. with the Creme color.. the tan one is a bit darker...

[tyguy]

Thanks...here is what a final fly looks like.. with the Creme color.. the tan one is a bit darker...

Very, very nice!

BTW, what size hook did you tie that on? Just curious as to the overall size of the fly...

[striblue]

Thanks.... Its a long shank 3/0 Wide gap Varivas. I want the hook off the end instead of though the back like the original fly this way I minimize the failed hook up on a corner mouth hook.

[Kevin E. Ramsey]

John, the epoxy flounder is a real neat idea. I was checking out the posts, and saw the idea of adding the nylon into the fly to give it more durablility. I gave it a whirl and added very thin(short haired) strips of rabbit to either side of the fly for the fins. The rabbit was then glued together to form a tail at the bend of the fly...keep up the good work!

[striblue]

Kevin...sounds like a perfect variation... and should provide even greater movement for fins..Keep it up...the season starts soon so we have plenty of time to fish these.