Pilchard Pattern

[MichaelDS]

Has anyone come up with a really good pilchard pattern that they would be willing to share? Any pics?

Thanks
Mike

[Jim Miller]

I'd like to see one also :)
in particular .... what coloration to fly and size & shape?

[Penguin]

Good photos are hard to come by... :confused:
Gotta' phlash back to the contents of a Keys throw net from long ago...
Sorta' like herring only SMALLER...
shorter/phlat//rounder prophile...mostly silvery/white...prominent eyez (scared :eek: !)...

I suspect that anything size appropriate (3-5") with a mostly flat/oval white pearl phlashy body will "insinuate" the desired effect...

[Jim Miller]

Thanks Pete!
I'll take a dozen... :)

[lemaymiami]

Here's my favorite pilchard pattern, it's called the Silhouette and I've done hundreds of dozens over the years. It's tied on an Owner Aki 2/0 (the original was on a Tiemco 800s 1/0), has lead eyes and a wire weedguard. Some of my customers order this one 10 dozen at a time... It's tied entirely with wide webby saddle hackles and I do it in every color under the sun. My favorite is always the all white. My best snook, 21lbs, was taken on one. It's great when live chumming...

[silkfish]

where do i get these webby saddle hackles,and what lenght. thanks bob

[albacized]

I would say that any juvie herring/peanut bunker pattern should work

[MichaelDS]

Looks like a couple of really nice pilchard files. I'll get the casting net out and see if I can corral a few. Thanks Penguin and Capt Bob.

Mike

[lemaymiami]

There's actually been a step by step article on this pattern in the last year inside Flyfishing in Saltwaters... I didn't write the article and the author didn't bother to ask me about it before writing it.... It was called the Deep Silhouette, which is what I first named the pattern back in the mid eighties when I was tying for Liz and Frank Steele at the Fly Fisherman in Titusville. At any rate all you need are strung saddles in the 4 to 6" range. The closest available to shops these days are from Wapsi, their "Deceiver Hackle" in 1/4oz packages. In short the pattern is tied much like a Seaducer except that the tail is tied Deceiver style with the saddles facing inward instead of splayed. To get the full body that looks as if some maribou was used, just leave as much of the fluff as possible on the three saddles that are used to wind up the shank of the hook and over the eyes...

[MichaelDS]

Capt LeMay -- Did you see the private message I sent you?

Mike

[lemaymiami]

email sent, sorry for the delay.