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Fly Swap Tying Instructions, Cowan's Baby Bunker


Rod Wrapper

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Here is how I tie it. I hope Henry will approve. I tied it initially to imitate small gl*** minnows the albacore chase in the fall during the blitz off of Cape Fear. It is also a great Smallmouth fly.

The fly should also work well with a light pink, tan or black strip. Try it and let me know.

Step 1.

Mount lead dumbells or bead chain eyes about where you would a clouser. Here I chose Bead Chain eyes and silver flash.

[image]http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/Tie%20in%20eyes.jpg[/image]

Step 2.

Wrap thread to just beyond the bend. Tie in braid. Wrap thread to head of fly. Wrap the fly with holographic braid. (Available at any craft shop.) Wrap a few figure 8's around the eye and tie off at the head. Do not crowd the ring. Do not fray tail yet.

[image]http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/Wrap%20holographic%20braid.jpg[/image]

Step 3.

Chose a length of stiff mono. Here I used 30 lb Maxima because that is what I had. I have also used lead wire. Make sure you tie it in exactly in the middle of the hook shank and make sure it is tied in straight with the hook shank so the epoxy will be even. Note how I orient the natural curve of the mono.

[image]http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/Tie%20in%20body%20frame.jpg[/image]

Step 4:

Complete the body frame by tieing in at the tail. Adjust the space to make the size body you want, but it can't be too wide or the epoxy will not bridge the gap.

[image]http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/make%20body%20frame.jpg[/image]

Step 5:

Mix up some 5 minute epoxy. I add some fine holographic glitter, also available at a craft store. If you wait a minute or two, the epoxy will begin to set and will be easier to handle. Spread it onto the body so it bridges between the mono and the hook shank. It will naturally be thicker at the eyes and thinner at the tail. I use a popsicle stick to apply the epoxy. Rotate the fly after applying the epoxy so it will not sag or run. If you have a turner, use 30 minute epoxy and tie 6 or 12 flies at a time. It is hardly worth tieing one epoxy fly at a time. In this picture I stopped rotating the fly to take the picture and you can see the epoxy sagging. The epoxy evens out when it is rotated.

[image]http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/coat%20with%20epoxy.jpg[/image]

Here the epoxy is set and you are ready to finish the fly.

[image]http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/epoxy%20set.jpg[/image]

Step 6:

After the epoxy sets, cut a zonker strip. Pierce the strip with the hook point (align the length of the strip with the barb when you pierce it so the hole is long ways with the leather and not cross ways. It makes for a stronger fly. Pull the strip tight to the eye and tie off. I find rabbit easier to work with if you wet the fur.

Note the gap between the hook shank and the leather of the rabbit. I use a small amount of super glue to glue the leather to the hook shank.

[image]http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/tie%20in%20zonker%20strip.jpg[/image]

Step 7:

Fray the tail, cut the strip to length, cement the head and you are ready to fish!

[image]http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/finished%20fly.jpg[/image]

It is a really simple fly to tie. It is a good first epoxy fly to try. I am still surprised and honored it won!

Let me know if anyone has any questions.

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