The Inverted Merkin Crab
This is the fifth installment of Essential Permit Patterns The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com
The Inverted Merkin Crab Read More »
This is the fifth installment of Essential Permit Patterns The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com
The Inverted Merkin Crab Read More »
This is the forth This installment of Essential Permit Patterns The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com
The Bottle Cap Crab Read More »
This is the third installment of Essential Permit Patterns The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com
This is the second installment of Essential Permit Patterns The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com
This is the first installment of Essential Permit Patterns. The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded here.
5 flies that must be in your box for chasing Permit, a.k.a “The Black Fin Devils” 100 page downloadable eBook of Essential Permit Patterns, illustrated with ultra-hi resolution step-by-step instructions.
The Rag Head Crab Permit Fly Read More »
If you have ever tried to catch a permit on fly you are acutely aware that the deck is stacked against you. The notorious crustacean crunchers are nefariously critical of any crab-like offering and this is one of the reasons there are thousands of crab fly patterns existing today. In an effort to narrow the search and increase your success rate, here are step-by-step tying instructions for the Kung Fu Crab, Rag Head Crab, Inverted Merkin Crab, Bottle Cap Crab, and the McCrab.
Essential Permit Patterns Read More »
Over the past few months, I’ve given you snippets from my latest eBook called Selecting Natural Materials. Simply click the icon above
for the complete Deep Dive in to What To Look For & Avoid When Selecting Hair, Fur & Feathers or click the link, and download today for $7.99.
Otherwise, read on and I’ll recap all of the material covered.
1. Cherry-Picking Saltwater Capes
3. Plucking the Perfect Bucktail
5. Zonker Strip Cutters…Try This at Home
For more information on how you can improve your own saltwater fly patterns check out my website www.saltyflytying.com or;
For a deep dive into the world of saltwater pattern development, look for my new book Feather Brain – How to design better saltwater flies coming next August. You can Pre Order a copy by clicking here.
Thanks for reading!
~Drew
Selecting Natural Materials Read More »
This is the fifth installment of Selecting Natural Materials which can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com
Zonker Strip Cutters are pretty rudimentary tools, basically they are a handle embedded with razor blades spaced to the desired thickness of cut. They are difficult to find in fly tying shops, so most avid fly tyers end up fashioning their own. The process of cutting the skin is a little tricky, and should be approached with an abundance of caution. Obviously when ever you are working with a handful of razor blades it can be a little dangerous if you are not paying attentions.
The easiest way I have found to cut the whole pelts is to secure one end by clamping it between two boards fur side down. Stretch tight the other end with your non dominant hand and slowly drag the razorblades across the skin with your dominate hand.
For the complete Deep Dive in to What To Look For & Avoid When Selecting Hair, Fur & Feathers click the link, or icon to your right and download today for $7.99.
-35 page downloadable pdf. illustrated
Zonker Strip Cutters…Try This at Home Read More »
This is the forth installment of Selecting Natural Materials which can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com
Zonker strips are thinly cut strips of fur with the tanned skin still attached. They are very popular for saltwater fly patterns thanks to their remarkably fishy action in the water. Soft and supple, their fur seems to comes alive when submersed, and the leather strip magically snakes along as it is drawn through the water. Unlike feathers or bucktails, there are not as many pitfalls or glaring differences between the bags of materials found on the shelfs of your local fly shop. However there are some minor differences that you need to be aware of.
Leather Thickness
As you work with more and more with Zonker style materials, you will start to notice subtle differences in the pliability of the leather. This is due to the slight difference in the leathers thickness. When given the option to compare, I try to choose the Zonker strips with the thinnest leather possible.
For the complete Deep Dive in to What To Look For & Avoid When Selecting Hair, Fur & Feathers click the link, or icon to your right and download today for $7.99.
-35 page downloadable pdf. illustrated
Choose Your Zonkers Wisely Read More »
This is the third installment of Selecting Natural Materials which can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com
Bucktail, or the hair found on the tails of White Tail Deer, has a variety of different textures depending on the specific animal it is harvested from. The balance of rigidity and flexibility is what makes bucktail such an effective fly tying material. It is perfect for creating very large yet virtually weightless flies. These flies tend to push a large volume of water, and move with a lifelike undulation when stripped. When wet, the supple hairs become slightly opaque and natural take on a taper teardrop shape, a perfect emulation of a baitfish.
Plucking the Perfect Bucktail Read More »