I just learned this over the weekend and thought I would share the process. This fly is the size of a Chug Bug (about 5") and has the exact same action. The colors and such can me modified in any pattern you want as well.
I have included some pics but some are not so clear (I am working around the wifes baby stuff).
Materials:
1/0 long shank hook
1/8" thick foam
white, flat waxed nylon thread
bucktail (white & gray)
flashabou
prismatic skin tape (optional)
prismatic eyes
Zap a gap
5 minute epoxy
large glass rattle
mylar tubing
small piece of open cell foam
red marker pen
Wrap entire shank of hook and begin to tie in bucktail. Wrap in two small groups of white, then the flash, and two groups of gray on top.
Attach a 1" piece of tubing at the front of the tail and move the thread to the front of the hook shank. Insert the rattle and wrap tightly to the shank of the hook…whip finish and trim excess. The rattle can be tied directly to the shank but too much wrapping pressure can break the glass and it also has a tendency to slide around the shank.
Apply one drop of Zap a gap at the front and back of the rattle to secure the rattle and tail wraps.
Now, some preparation must be done for future flies by creating some templates for the foam and prismatic tape. Everybody may have and idea on doing this but I started with a business card wrapped around the fly to cut to size and shape as necessary. I could actually scan mine and save as a PDF if someone wants them.
Run a bead of Zap a gap on the foam along one edge(not too far back b/c it will get on the bucktail) and attach to one side. When its secure, wrap ove the rattle and do the same on the other side. Now the body is attached to the fly very neatly and snug up to the eye of the hook.
Cut a small piece of open cell foam (I used the same foam brush I use for epoxy application) and shove into the open cup of the front of the fly.
I have not tied any crease flies, but I may start to now. I have always loved fishing a super spook on a spinning rod and have been looking for a similar fly pattern. The closest I have come thus far have been some of the pencil poppers, but with the addition of the rattle this may just be the ticket. If you tie a lot of these, check outhttp://bearsden.com/page352.html, they have a lot of materials geared toward topwater patterns and even cutters that cut the body portion out of foam in one quick motion.
“The man who coined the phrase “Money can’t buy happiness”, never bought himself a good fly rod”
Those look great! I have done crease flies before and the hardest part is getting a good preform cut. Cutting the foam will dull the hell out of your scissors as well.
I have not used the product so this is no endoresment, but I know Casters here in hickory has a stamp for sale with a nice wooden handle that you can use to make perfect crease fly bodies. Just picture a cookie cutter for crease flies and thats what you have. I may invest in one, its very hard to cut foam so that each side is perfectly symetrical. Only problem is you need to invest in the one size that you plan to use the most, cause their about $20 bucks and they only cut one pattern.
I know capt seth vernon in wrightsville uses the snot out of the rattle crease.
I have not tied any crease flies, but I may start to now. I have always loved fishing a super spook on a spinning rod and have been looking for a similar fly pattern. The closest I have come thus far have been some of the pencil poppers, but with the addition of the rattle this may just be the ticket. If you tie a lot of these, check outhttp://bearsden.com/page352.html, they have a lot of materials geared toward topwater patterns and even cutters that cut the body portion out of foam in one quick motion.
“The man who coined the phrase “Money can’t buy happiness”, never bought himself a good fly rod”
They have a great selection. Saltwaterflies.com pretty much has everything once you figure out how to navigate their site.
They are not very heavy however it’s been my experience that it’s a lot easier to throw the bigger bugs on a good 9 or 10 weight. If there is some wind, I’ll even over line the rod one or two line weights.
The stamps/cutters are worth their weight in gold, if you plan on tying very many. You can pick up the foam sheets at any of the local craft stores for pennies on the dollar. I personally like to tie up several white on white, brown on brown, black on black and chartresue on chartruese, then use a Sharpie or tape to highlight the back, head or belly area of the fly accordingly. You can use this same method with Bangers, Sliders, Gurgulers & Wiggle Minnows.