Bonefish Critter Question

[MKDeceiver]

Still trying to get ready for my Keys trip...
This pattern seems pretty straight forward. I have a question though.

http://www.traflyfish.com/tying/salt/bonefishcritter.htm

When it calls for spinning wool for the body, can somebody elaborate on that for me? What type of wool should I use? Are you basically dubbing it? Any tying directions, or detail on how to spin wool for this fly or in general would help...

Thanks in advance...

[jjonas]

I think the stuff you are looking for is called “Rams Wool”. It’s on the hide as opposed to spun as a yarn. I have attached a picture. It would be tied similar to tying deer hair. It puffs up fairly easy, you could also just figure 8 it like a merkin. Comes in many different natural and dyed colors. I bought it at my local fly shop so I don’t really know a source for you.

Jason

[ruge13]

You could use craft fur??

[MKDeceiver]

Jonas, You want to just send me that patch?...lol.

Ruge, I thought about the craft fur, I may try it. I'm not sure if it's going to give me the sturdy oval body I'm seacrhing for. Have you ever tried spinning it? I guess if it spins it may work, but wouldn't you have to comb it out first, before spinning?


Thanks

[LandlockedinMI]

Rams wool is hard to spin but do-able. Craft fur ain't- it's too flimsy. Dubbing some craft fur just might work.....

[MKDeceiver]

What about a wool head sculpin? What type of wool do people use in those? I've never tied them before...

[ruge13]

I used tan craft fur here on a critter wanna be. Seemed to work just fine. I also spun it on a larger chambered nautilus imitation for the contest earlier this winter. No combing required. I think it worked ok because you are only trying to get a small, 1/4 to 1/2 puff ball for a critter right? It appears flimsy when first tied down, but once its cut short it stands right up. It was just a suggestion, I have no practical experience with this other than a few I tied this winter.

[jjonas]

What about a wool head sculpin? What type of wool do people use in those? I've never tied them before...

MKDeceiver
I just did a quick search on google.com for "rams wool fly tying" and found a few online sources. It is the stuff you would use for wool head sculpins. It's about $1.50 a patch.

PM me your address and I will send you that patch and the rest of my collection (6 pieces of browns, olives, white and tan) of rams wool. I don't use it anymore and can easily replaced if I need it. You could send me some flexo tubing which I can't find locally.

Jason

[salamid]

I've tied bonefish slider with wool heads like the critter. I can't imagine craft fur or any other reasonably workable substitute. Wool is what you want. I actual don't care much for that critter fly either (I've been carrying a commerically tied one around in my boxes for a while). I've had a few guides look at it funny. Honestly can't say I've ever tied it on and shown it to a fish though.

When you say spinning wool, from what I learned and tried, it's more like tying down clumps that splay out a bit. Doesn't spin like deer hair. Tie them in right and trim it looks just fine.

[MKDeceiver]

I found tan sculpin wool at a shop in worcester, ma...Perfect...

Jonas, where do you live?...In MA...I can tell you where to get it...

[jjonas]

I found tan sculpin wool at a shop in worcester, ma...Perfect...

Jonas, where do you live?...In MA...I can tell you where to get it...

Montana. I can get flexo tubing online. I read your merkin post and just figure it would be a good trade. I'm not even sure how I would use it.
(#$119) Glad you found some wool!

[Limpe]

Still trying to get ready for my Keys trip...
This pattern seems pretty straight forward. I have a question though.

http://www.traflyfish.com/tying/salt/bonefishcritter.htm

When it calls for spinning wool for the body, can somebody elaborate on that for me? What type of wool should I use? Are you basically dubbing it? Any tying directions, or detail on how to spin wool for this fly or in general would help...

Thanks in advance...

I wonder why anybody would want to use that wool?
My expierence with flies tied with that kinda fluffy material is cuz it is fluffy, it'll sink fairly slow, not something that you want when fishing for bonefish..

On my latest trip i've tried some of those patterns tied with wool and similar materials, my opinion and expierence is that you can present your flie really smooth and silent but that it doesn't sink at a rate you desire.
I used fairly heavy crazy charlies with heavy dumbell eyes and had a great time!

Greetings

[MKDeceiver]

I tied a few Bonefish Critter's last night and they came out damn good...You kind of layer and spin the hair on the fly...Then trim a nice tight body. The fly looks like it will work real well especially on a dark bottom. I don't think I would throw it on a light sandy bottom, but maybe I'll tie a few and not color the tan wool on top.

I think the wool would help sink this fly fast. Wool absorbs water, and coupled with the eyes should get it down fast...

I can't see being able to spin Yarn and get the effect of the sculpin wool...It just trims so nice and tight, and thick, it should hold up very well. On a down note, your definitely limited to how wide you can trim the fly. I guess that's why you use a 3-4 ply yarn for merkins, tie them horizontal and trim circular......