Snake Vs. Silicon

[jpkil318]

Hi
Snake Flies and silicone flies look very similar and appear like they might have similar actions in the water. However silicones look more durable and after you get good at making them they should be easily made. I was wondering if anyone had any comments on this thought and which ones people like more and any tips in making them.

[tsheehy]

My $.02 -- flies where the head is completely encased in silicone, ala Popovics' siliclone, work great up until the point where the silicone gets ripped -- either from multiple fish, or pliers doing a deep extraction. Depending on where the rip appears, it may cause the fly to twist during the retrieve and cause the fly to swim funny. Easy enough to repair at the shop, but a lost cause when on the water.

Roughly spun deer-hair heads won't have this problem, and sometimes work better once they get chewed up.

-- Tom

[ruge13]

I like Snake flies 100% more. They are lighter, and easier to cast. Also, its much easier to control the depth/sink rate of the fly I think by varying the material in the spun head. Also, the snake fly will undulate and breath better I think, where silicone will hold its shape a bit more.


I also don;t like the color the silicone takes. Usually an opaque white. I am sure this is just me, not the fish, but I like the better colors I can get with clean deer hair

[dudley]

Snakes suit my tieing style
..............simple.....

[PAUL SCHWACK]

i find snake flies to be more natural and versatile... sparsely spun head on a heavy hook will sink (and breath) a tightly spun head on a light wire hook will ride higher. natural materials just seem to fish better for me.

[Squidly]

I like snake flies better. I agree with ruge13 that you can have a lot more creativity with spun dear hair. I will say that I reaaly want to try the snake fly Armando posted with the foam flaps. Seems like it would push a lot of water.