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No Fishing Report

February 23, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

No Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this No Fishing Report. Small craft advisories, cold, and workmen at my house kept me off the water. On the bright side, I did tie, and test, some new flies.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

I watched a video in which the narrator used an offset bass worm hook to tie a fly. I was, “Why haven’t I thought of that??” I got to work, making a few bunny strip eelworms, among other things.


A trip to the local retention pond to test the fly brought an immediate strike and a small bass to hand. Well, dang! This thing seems to work!

To make this fly, you need the hook, of course, and some magnum bunny strips, and some tying thread. After that, everything is an option.

I put the hook in the vise and started the thread. The hook I used didn’t have much of a neck, so the thread was wrapped around the bend. Then, I measured the bunny strip against the hook, and used an awl to poke a hole in the strip. The hook point was then inserted through that hole. The strip was cut at the tie-in point on the neck of the hook, and then tied in. Whip finish, finis! A true five-minute fly!

To some I added bead chain eyes, or a hackle collar. To one a rattle, to one a willow-leaf spinner. I haven’t tested the variants, but intend to next week.

A half-dozen bass gurglers got tied up, too. I already know how well those work!

Saturday, I joined the Oviedo Photo Club for a field trip to the Orlando Wetlands Park. It was good. I learned some stuff and met some nice new (to me) people. And I got some photos, too. See below.

As usually happens in places like this, you can get a severe case of lens envy.

 

Red-shouldered hawk.

 

Pied-billed grebe.

 

Great blue heron, roosting.

 

Dabbling ducks.

 

A poser!

 

This is what all those guys in the first shot were shooting, a sandhill crane and its chick.

And that, folks, is the no fishing report. I promise, there will be some fishing next week. Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go camping! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2024. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: central florida destinations, Fishing Reports, Flies and Fly Tying · Tagged: ,

A Fine Day Fishing, And Happy New Year!

December 31, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

A Fine Day Fishing, And Happy New Year!

The weather broke enough for me to have a fine day fishing, so that’s a good thing. Hope everyone’s Christmas was cheery, and best wishes to everyone for a happy new year!

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

According to the weather forecast (which are, of course, very unreliable and untrustworthy), Wednesday was supposed to be the best day of the past week. The forecast wasn’t spot on (there was more sunshine than expected), but it was darn close.

It was a gorgeous day, light winds, comfortably warm when the sun was shining, great for paddling. The water in the Mosquito Lagoon was quite clear. The odd thing was, all the fish I caught were gotten blind-casting with a fly rod. I could not catch any of the fish I saw. Most of them were either 10 feet away or already run over when I saw them, but I did have two decent shots at reds. Both fish spooked off the fly. In spite of that minor frustration it was a wonderful day, and I stayed out until sunset. I did not make a single photo, though.

Clousers with synthetics.

There’s plague of puffers out there. I just tied up a half-dozen Clouser style minnows with synthetic wings. Bucktail cannot hold up to the constant trimming by the puffers. Hope these new ones are more durable! I caught three puffers Wednesday, and by the third was considering starting to kill them. Didn’t happen. No fish were harmed, was fishing barbless…

All you want out there right now…

Almost finished putting a floor into the van, intend to finish today. Here’s what it looks like so far-

The almost-finished floor in the van.

Read this from the Miami Herald.

That’s a Fine Day Fishing Report. Thanks for reading! And again, best wishes for a great new year.

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go on a walk! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2023. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Flies and Fly Tying, Sienna Van conversion · Tagged: , , , , ,

Fishing News, Fishing Report

October 9, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

Fishing News, Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this week’s Fishing Report. Got out three days this week, all solo trips by kayak. Tried to find new places to fish. Hard to do- I’ve been at it a long time!
———————————————

Fly Tying

Last week I wrote, “I … got ready to tie up some delicious offerings for fish.” The results of that little tying spurt are shown below.

A deliciousness of electric sushi.

The pattern, originated by the late Mike Martinek, is called Electric Sushi. I am a huge fan! You can see the tying directions at this link- http://www.spottedtail.com/tying-the-electric-sushi-fly/

Reds like sushi.

 

Trout do, too.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ve been writing recently about the redfish worm and the fuzzy or wooly redfish worm. It’s a great fly! I haven’t shown a photo in a long time. Picture below, wooly on top, plain on bottom. Not a lot of difference.

hook- mustad 3407 #4
eye- small or micro lead dumbell, or bead chain, or plastic, depending on desired sink rate.
tail- I prefer arctic fox but will use marabou or a bunny strip. I prefer black, but use whatever.
body- medium ice chenille or cactus chenille. again, I prefer black.
hackle (if desired)- grizzly neck hackle, tied Palmer.

The redfish worm is one of my favorite drum flies, too.

Buena suerte! Boa sorte!
————————————————————

Fishing News- Haulover Canal Gauge

For years this blog has related water levels in the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon to the USGS Gauge at the Haulover Canal. The URL, and the gauge format on the webpage, for that gauge is changing. The new URL is https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/02248380/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D

As I write this, the gauge reads well over 1.0. Every whole number equals a foot of water. I like for the gauge to read at 0.5 or below. I’ve seen it above 3.0 (after a hurricane) and below 0.0 (bars exposed everywhere). That webpage is an extremely useful tool for planning fishing trips in those lagoons!
————————————————————-

The MULLET RUN

Anyone have any news???

Will we ever see this again?

FISHING (and other) Report

Monday
Went paddling on high, murky water Mosquito Lagoon. Found a flowing culvert, where two trout, a snook, and a redfish fell for my flies. That was a good find! Ran over a couple fish, but it was very hard to see anything, in spite of the extraordinary weather. The water will most likely be high into December, maybe January. I doubt that I’ll ever see it clean again.

Culvert trout on Clouser minnow.

 

And the redfish! Note how murky the water is.

Tuesday
Susan and I visited the Orlando Museum of Art to see an exhibit of Clyde Butcher’s work. Highly recommended!!! One of my favorite Butcher photos is of the beach at Cayo Costa. I learned on Tuesday he waited there for a month to get the light he wanted. Waugh!

An example of the master’s work…

Wednesday
Dentist. News could have been better. Losing a tooth. 🙁

Visited Dr. David Demetree, chiropractor. Always feel a lot better when I leave there!

Visited the new digs of Mud Hole Tackle.

Put a new heating element in our clothes dryer.

Not a very exciting day.

Thursday
Went paddling on the high and murky Indian River Lagoon, place I had not visited in quite a long time. Looked for new nooks and crannies, got a trout and a little snook on fly.

Friday
Went paddling on the high and murky Indian River Lagoon. Again looked for new nooks and crannies. Relearned something I already knew from hard experience- first boat through a narrow spot gets all the spider webs. Got a couple trout and a small black drum on the rubber shad. Lightening chased me off.

No one likes getting one of these in the face.

Don’t know that I found new spots but had fun looking!

That’s what I got. Thank you again for reading this Fishing Report. Life is great and I love all my readers!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go hiking! Take a walk! Do SOMETHING!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2021. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Flies and Fly Tying, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No Fishing Report, and Things Change

October 31, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

No Fishing Report, and Things Change

Thank you for reading another no fishing report. And, things change! And, Happy Halloween!

Due to COVID, I worked as a charter captain perhaps five days since March. Given the current quality of the water where I fish, that is not necessarily a bad thing. It did hurt the bottom line in a huge way though.

The USPS brought my commercial use permit renewal form from the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. I’m not renewing it.

Last Wednesday I brought the Mitzi to Jam-Up in Sanford to get the gel coat nicks fixed. I picked it up Monday. Looks great! I’m getting the Yamaha painted and then I’m putting the rig up for sale. I will have details in a week or two.

The nature of this blog will change as a result. I will still be fishing, but not trying to sell trips. There will be more travel. Fishing from different places, should be great! Photos of mountains and deserts, I can’t wait!

Back to the present. Didn’t fish this week. Wednesday Susan and I had some errands to run. One of hers involved the Sewing Studio on 17-92 in Maitland. When we got there, I put my mask on and got out of the car. “You’re going in?” she asked, surprised. “Fly tying materials, babe!”

A small sample of the goods at the Sewing Studio. Those are all spools of thread.

I didn’t buy anything. But a creative fly tyer with some disposable income could have a party in there. Every imaginable color of thread, all kinds of metallic and holographic appliques, beads, sequins, etc. If you’re in the neighborhood it’s definitely worth checking out. And you’ll be the only guy in a store full of women.

Thursday I had to be domestic, and had more errands.

Friday I had an 8 o’clock with chiropractor David Demetree (HIGHLY recommended) to get my spine straightened out. And then it was prep time for my upcoming trip to St. George Island State Park. So there should be an actual fishing report next week! Redfish and seatrout and macks, oh my!

Redfish…

 

…and sea trout…

 

…and macks, oh my! All caught at SGISP on previous trips.

Going fishing where fish actually bite sometimes, should be GREAT!

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing! or travel!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing News, Fishing Reports · Tagged: , , , , ,

No Fishing Fishing Report

September 26, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

No Fishing Fishing Report

Thank you for looking at this no fishing Fishing Report. I did not get out once this week. Instead of fishing I’ve been working on my van. And tying some flies- see below.

The weather has been terrible, small craft advisory much of the week.

Why I did not fish Mosquito Lagoon this week-

I prefer the gauge to read at 0.5 or below.

Why I did not fish the Econ this week-

I prefer this gauge to read at 2.0 or below.

Had the yard sale last Saturday. Did OK, got rid of lots of “stuff.” Even had a “free” table. All of that stuff went!

I have a book, Art Scheck’s Tying Better Flies. When there were still magazines, Art, who worked for Abenaki Publishing, was my favorite editor. He got submissions from the best fly fishermen and tyers in the country and learned a ton from them, which he incorporated into this book. It is so good, it makes you want to stop reading and get on the vise. I recommend it highly.

Many of us would probably be better fishermen if we did not spend so much time watching and waiting for the world to become perfect.
– Norman Maclean

Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing! or work on a van!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: book reviews, Fishing Reports · Tagged: , ,

Not Much Fishing Fishing Report

May 30, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Not Much Fishing Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this not much fishing fishing report. It’s rained every day this week, with significant amounts of lightning.

Memorial Day– the weather was not conducive to Florida fishing- windy and rainy, all day. Since I will be here all summer for the first time in 14 years, I cleaned and re-spooled all my 6000 and 4000 series spin reels. I’m thinking big jacks, I’m thinking king macs, I’m thinking tarpon. And now I am ready, rod and reel-wise. May still have to tinker with the terminal tackle a bit…

Tuesday– went to the Econ for an hour, wade fishing. Got two redbellies and a stumpknocker on a rubber spider. The gar were moving upstream like an army, a continuous stream of fish clearly going someplace. What it reminded me of was the beachside tarpon migration in Lee County. There were some 36-inch gar in the pack. Right after I got in the car it started raining.

A Fiber Minnow.

I organized terminal tackle for the spin rods in the afternoon. I also started tying some tarpon flies, fiber minnows and electric sushi, a project that’s taken me through the rest of the week.

Electric sushi- tying instructions at link.

Wednesday– tied some rubber spiders and some foam-head Muddler Minnow kind of things, small flies for sunfish. Went to the Econ to test them. The water was up six or seven inches from the day before. I did not touch a fish. I don’t know if that’s because my new flies stink or the fish are looking for heavier cover in the increasing flow.

Spent the afternoon organizing all my flies. I have lots of flies, some 20 or more years old, never used.

Thursday– finished my electrical work on the Mitzi, took it for a spin around Lake Harney. Pressure washed it, then organized all the boat gear and boat fishing tackle. My tackle is as organized as it’s ever been.

Friday– in a fit of optimism, rigged up a 10-weight and a 12-weight. When the weather breaks I will be ready. I hope there will be some fish around!

It is our lost fish that I believe stay longest in memory, ans seize upon our thoughts whenever we look back on fishing days. – Sir Edward Grey

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Flies and Fly Tying · Tagged: ,

Shad Run Swan Song Orlando Fishing Report 

February 23, 2018 by · Leave a Comment

Shad Run Swan Song Orlando Fishing Report 

We fished the St. Johns River three days and the Mosquito Lagoon one day. Shad fishing had been really good, the best in several years. It fell off a cliff this week. Thus the shad run swan song Orlando fishing report.

The Indian River Lagoon Chronicles is now available as a paperback book, either from me or from amazon. It’s getting rave reviews! Please, check it out…

The Alaska fly-tying frenzy has started! I’m tying this…

An articulated king salmon streamer…

…while fantasizing about this!

…for a manatee-sized king salmon.

Should be an awesome summer!

For Sale–
Hotel del Rio, Ambergris Caye, Belize. At this eight cabana waterfront property you can put your feet in the sand- right out your front door. http://hoteldelriobelize.com. Call 407.977.5207 for more information.

Upcoming Events–
-Paddle Fishing Seminar, Kayaks by Bo in Titusville, March 17, 5 PM. Please call to reserve your space. 321.474.9365.

-Mosquito Lagoon On-the-Water Show and Tell Seminar, March 18, 8:30 AM. Please visit this link for more information…

-Florida Fly Fishing Association meeting, Kay’s Barbeque, Cocoa, March 27, 7 PM. We’ll post more details as we get them.

Monday
Chris Olson joined me for a day of St. Johns River shad fishing. We launched at Mullet Lake Park. We got 15 or so in four hours on ultralight spin, but had to work hard for every one. Seemed like the run was winding down.

Thank you, Chris!

Tuesday
Ian Davidson joined me for a day of St. Johns River shad fly fishing. We launched at Mullet Lake Park. After a hitless hour I pulled the boat and went to CS Lee, where we had three more hitless hours around the mouth of the Econ. Ouch.

Thank you, Ian!

I pulled the boat out and said goodbye to Ian. Then I started getting the boat road-ready. When I went to trim up the motor, I almost stuck my hand right in this guy’s mouth.

orlando fishing report

He was sitting on the trim motor. What???

By the cloudy look of his eyes, he’s getting ready to molt.

orlando fishing report

I wrapped a towel around him, carried him back to the river, and released him unharmed. Snakes are so awesome!

orlando fishing reportLive long and prosper!

Wednesday
I had the pleasure of hosting Rick Callahan and his brother-in-law Bruce on Spotted Tail, which we launched at River Breeze. We had several bites at the first spot, all on plastic shad. A few rat reds were caught, but Bruce got one that could have held batter.

orlando fishing report

Bruce and his redfish.

He released it. He also got some shorty trout, and one decent one that would also have held batter. He released that one too.

orlando fishing report

Bruce and his seatrout.

I told some dumb jokes and we traded stories, laughing a lot. The weather was awesome, and we all called it good.

Thank you Rick and Bruce!

Thursday
The chariot went to the repair shop- tied me up all day.

Friday
My thought was that if the shad were past Mullet Lake and the Econ, maybe they were near SR 50. I drove over with the Bang-O-Craft to test the idea. Two hours produced two shad. If they weighed 100 pounds apiece (and wouldn’t THAT be awesome!), that would be acceptable. Coming in at a couple pounds each, I want more action that that.

I think they’re done for the season.

And that is the shad run swan song Orlando fishing report.

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
http://www.spottedtail.com/blog
www.johnkumiski.com
www.rentafishingbuddy.com
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2018. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, St. Johns River Fishing Report · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Florida Saltwater Flies- Packing for a Trip to Florida

October 19, 2015 by · Leave a Comment

Florida Saltwater Flies- Packing for a Trip to Florida

Here in central Florida we find many species of fish- redfish, snook, seatrout, tarpon, snapper, moonfish, jacks, it’s a long list. Since you’re traveling, you don’t have room to bring a ton of tackle. I hope the list below reflects an exercise in minimalism for Florida saltwater flies.

The fish you’ll be encountering eat three things for the most part- smaller fish, shrimp, and crabs. The flies carried should reflect this. Additionally, some attractor-style flies like spoonflies and poppers should be carried, too.

Try to fit all the terminal tackle into a single Simms Dry Creek Waist Pack . In the pocket of the pack put the following items:

– a couple of finger guards

– a Dr. Slick hook file

– a stick of sunscreen for the lips.

Inside the pack put the following:

-fluorocarbon leader wheels in 12, 15, 20, and 30 pound test

– a package of Knot 2 Kinky leader wire . You never know when this might be needed

– a dehooker

– a Gerber Multitool  or equivalent

– a small bag with a half dozen small white shrimp flies for nighttime dock fishing. If you get a chance you will be ready.

– a one quart ziplock back containing a couple dozen synthetic minnow fly patterns, similar to Puglisi style flies, in sizes from #4 to #2/0, many with weedguards, some tied as bendbacks.

An example of a minnow fly. Lefty’s Deceiver will work, too.

 

A flock of faux fishies.

– a small Plano box jammed with flies, including-

*3 Dupre spoonflies

Jim Dupre's Spoonfly.

* a half dozen Merkin-style (or other) crabs, size #4, with weedguards

A gaggle of Merkins.

*several Clouser Minnows in various colors and sizes (#4-1), with weedguards

Clouser minnows of many color combos work well.

*several black bunny leeches, #2, with weedguards

The bunny leech or bunny booger, a deadly fly.

* several Borski-style Sliders, size #4 and 2, in various colors and weights, with weedguards;

My version of a slider.

* a few Trout Bites or other style bendback, size #4 and 2

The Trout Bite on top, and a synthetic minnow below.

* a few Rattle Rousers, size #4, great for dirty water

Rattle Rousers, weighted and not.

* a selection of poppers and gurglers. Baby tarpon love small gurglers!

My version of Gartside's Gurgler.

If you have space, a few fry minnow patterns will be great for freshwater fishing and baby tarpon.

A craft fur fry minnow.

With this kit, you could fish saltwater anywhere north of Key Largo and would be prepared for most of what you would encounter.

So we have discussed Florida Saltwater Flies- Packing for a Trip to Florida. In your Florida fishing fantasy, what different stuff would you bring?

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing Tips, Flies and Fly Tying, opinion · Tagged: , , , , , , ,

How to Tie a Gurgler

September 5, 2015 by · Leave a Comment
orlando fishing report

The killer fly, a gurgler.

How to Tie a Gurgler

Gurglers, to the best of my knowledge, were invented by the late Jack Gartside. They are awesome, easy to tie flies that work of a wide variety of fish. Since I make them differently than Jack did, here are my instructions on how to tie a Gurgler.

First, you need to gather your materials. Use whatever color(s) you like.

how to tie a gurgler

Simple materials needed to make a Gurgler. Feel free to modify my list to suit your own needs.

-sheet of craft foam (available at any craft store)
-material for tail (in this case marabou, but it’s the tyer’s choice)
-tying thread (Danville flat waxed nylon for me) in Dr. Slick bobbin
-Estaz or similar product for body
-rubber hackle, sililegs, or what-have-you for legs if desired (for spider patterns or bass bugs)
-hook. For most of my saltwater flies I use a Mustad 34001 #2. For salmon I use a Mustad 36890, also #2. For freshwater applications it depends what the target specie is; i.e., for bass a stinger hook, #4 or #2, for sunfish an Aberdeen, #6 or 8, for trout and dollies a long-shanked, bronzed hook, #6 or 8, etc.

1. After placing the hook in the vise (I use a Regal), start the thread and wrap it back to the bend of the hook.

2. Using your Dr. Slick scissors, cut a strip of foam from the sheet of craft foam. Use the scissors to taper one end to a near-point.

how to tie a gurgler

Cut the strip of foam for the fly body. Wider ones float better but tend to rotate more. Taper one end to a near point.

 

To read the rest of these instruction, click here now…

 

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
http://www.spottedtail.com/blog
www.johnkumiski.com
www.rentafishingbuddy.com
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2015. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing Tips, Flies and Fly Tying · Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

How to Tie the Electric Sushi Fly

April 12, 2015 by · Leave a Comment

How to Tie the Electric Sushi Fly

One year I visited the Fly Fishing Show in Somerset, New Jersey. There, Massachusetts fly tier Mike Martinek showed me how to tie the Electric Sushi fly. It’s a great seatrout pattern in any size, but I use it for a variety of fish species in both fresh- and saltwater. My favorite color combinations include chartreuse-and-white and chartreuse-and-pink. A double-prong, hard monofilament weed guard is helpful for fishing areas with obstructions. The Electric Sushi sinks fairly slowly. The chartreuse color is very bright, so it’s very easy to keep track of the fly’s position while you fish it.

Hook: Gamakatsu SC-15 or equivalent, sizes 4 to 3/0.
Thread: White Danville flat waxed nylon.
Belly: white Awesome Hair. If you can’t find Awesome Hair, I think Hedron’s Wing n Flash and Ice Wing Fiber are almost identical products. The world of synthetic fly tying materials can be confusing.
Back: pink Awesome Hair. Of course the colors are up to the tyer.
Markings (not shown): Black permanent marker.
Eyes: 3-D molded eyes.
Gills: Red permanent marker.

1. Place the hook in the vise and wrap the thread to the bend of the hook. This is what the material looks like as it comes from the bag.

IMG_3796

2. Pull enough material out of the bag to make a small ball of it.

IMG_3797

3. Tie that small ball in at the bend of the hook, right across its middle. Pull the material back and wrap it in front with three or four wraps. The truly erudite tier will hit those wraps with a bit of cement.

IMG_3798

 

4. Make another little ball of material and tie it in under the hook shank, above the point of the hook. Again, wrap it first in the middle, and then in front.

 

IMG_3799

5. If you’re going to use a second color, tie it in now. All remaining clumps of material will be tied on top of the hook shank, one in front of the previous one, with the same technique that we’ve already used. Be sure to leave enough room to finish the head and tie in a weed guard, if desired.

IMG_3800

6. In this photo the tying is finished, the weed guard tied in and the head whip finished. The fly does not yet resemble the finished product.

IMG_3802

7. Use a bodkin to begin “pulling out” the fibers, always working from front to back.

IMG_3803

 

IMG_3804

 

Material will break free. Keep it for the next fly. Don’t throw it away!

 

IMG_3805

Work the entire fly over, top, bottom, and sides. Get all the snarls out. Use your fingers, perhaps licking them to moisten occasionally, to shape the fly.

IMG_3806

8. Once the fly’s shape is to your liking, use Zap Goo to glue the eyes on. Use a red Sharpie to add the gill spot. If vermiculations are desired (not shown), use a Sharpie to add them. Don’t forget to cement the head!

IMG_3807

This Electric Sushi is ready to catch fish. And now you know how to tie the Electric Sushi fly!

John Kumiski

www.spottedtail.com

http://www.spottedtail.com/blog

www.johnkumiski.com

www.rentafishingbuddy.com

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

 

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2015. All rights are reserved.

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