Spawn Blog

Spawn Fly Head Articulated Trout Streamer (The NUMBSKULL)

By: Jesse Males

When I first found out that you could catch big hungry trout on a 5-7” articulated streamer pattern I knew I was going to fall in love with tossing these big old flies downriver. Big streamer flies have long been my passion both in saltwater and for bass fishing, and now more recently for trout!

The NUMBSKULL is an articulated trout fly that is finished off with the Spawn Fly Head and is meaty enough to drive big hungry trout absolutely bonkers!

Below is an HD Step-by-Step fly tying video that takes you through the steps you need to whip up some of these bad larry’s for your next fishing trip!

Material List:

Thread: 210 Flat Wax Nylon

Hooks: Substitute B10s or Ahrex TP610

Tail Top: Tan Rabbit Strip

Tail Bottom: Gold Ice Dub

Tail Front: Tan 3/4” Tan Polar Fiber Brush

 Wire: Intruder Wire Grey (coming to our site soon!)

 Beads: LG Beads

 Body Top: Tan Zonker Strip

Body Bottom: Gold Ice Dub

 Legs: Grizzly Barred Flutter Legs

 Body Front: Tan 3/4” Tan Polar Fiber Brush

Spaw Head: Crash Test Yummy- Yellow

 

As you can see, these fish heads are a great way to finish off a nice steamer pattern and help at add a bit of realism and profile to the fly.

If you liked the fly tying video, be sure to check out more fly tying information at www.backwaterflyfishing.com.

You can also purchase my favorite saltwater flies at www.backwaterflies.com.

 

Until next time…HAPPY TYING and TIGHT LINES!!!

Jesse Males 

Not only does Jesse tie some amazing flies but he also guides on destination trips. If fly travel is your thing, then be sure to visit Jesse's guiding website for Costa Rica at www.506outdoors.com.

 

 

 

 

 

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Pete's The Right Angle Crayfish - Step By Step Fly Tying Tutorial

Tied, Written, & Photographed by Pete Rosenau (@blueriverflies)

 

90 Degree Shank Version

The 90 degree shank from Spawn Fly Fish makes tying an articulated crayfish simple and effective. For this fly I’ve attached the hook directly to the shank. The weight on the shank is dependent upon the depth you’re seeking. Hope you enjoy tying this crayfish!

 

Spawn Twitch Shank Version

If you’re fishing conventional gear or ice fishing or heavy fly gear try using the 1/8 Oz Twitch Shank to finish the Right Angle Cray. Different weights are available to get your crayfish down as fast as you please. Saves the time of tying on a dumbbell and moves this fly like CRAY-zy.

 

All Materials Used:

Hook: Ahrex TP610 Trout Predator Streamer Hook - Size 2

Shank: Spawn 90 Degree Jig Shank - 20 mm (For Version #1)

             Spawn Twitch Shank - 1/8th oz - 20 mm (For Version #2)

Eyes: Hareline Heavy Lead Eyes - Black - Large

           Hareline Epoxy Mono Crab Eyes - Black

Thread: UNI 6/0 Waxed Thread - Rusty Brown

Dubbing: John Rohmer's Arizona Simi Seal Dubbing - Canadian Orange

Flash: Hareline Krystal Flash - Copper

Bucktail: Nature’s Spirit Select Large Bucktail - Burnt Orange

Claws: Hareline Micro Pulsator Rabbit Strips - Black Barred Crawfish Orange

Body and Tail: Hareline Crosscut Rabbit Strips - Crawfish Orange

Head Cement: Loon Hard Head - Clear

 

***For All Fly Tying Materials Used - Click Here To Shop***

 

Fly Tying Step By Step Tutorial: 

Step 1

To create some separation of materials away from the hook we’ll start by veiling two clumps of Canadian Orange Simi Seal. Use slightly larger clumps than you think you need. This is the foundation of the profile we’re trying to achieve.

 

Step 2

Veil a clump of Simi Seal on both the top and bottom of the hook just past the hook barb. Make sure your thread wraps are secure and add a little head cement. Keep in mind there are a lot of steps and time involved with big flies. Secure with cement any chance you get to prolong the life of your fly.

 

Step 3

For the flash I cut 4 strands of Copper Krystal Flash. Cut those in half and then veil the 8 strands on top of the shank which is the bottom since we’re tying this hook point up. Once your other materials are tied in you may wish to trim, but for now the flash should be fine after you split it to either side of the hook.

 

Step 4

Now we’re ready for the bucktail to replicate the crayfish head and hint of shell. You can see next to the bodkin it is a substantial clump of hair. Roughly two pencil thicknesses should suffice.

 

Step 5

Bucktail tied in at roughly the same length as the hook and separate shank combined. Keep the bucktail on top of the hook and evenly splayed on both sides of the hook. Add a thin layer of cement to really lock down that bucktail.

 

Step 6

Now for the eyes. Use the natural bend of the mono stem when tying in eyes. We want the curve to bring the eyes forward and slightly leaning away from the hook. After tying in both sides trim your mono and wrap down securely followed by another thin layer of cement.

 

Step 7

One way I like to control eye stems of the like is to use a small amount of dubbing. Here I’ve loaded a 3-4 inch noodle with the Canadian Orange Simi Seal. That gives me enough to figure 8 twice between the mono eye stems along with securing wraps after each. This solidifies your eye positions as well as adds volume once we brush it out in a later step.

 

Step 8

After tying in the Simi Seal you can see how we’ve now created a space to keep our rabbit strip claws away from not only the eyes but also the hook point.

 

Step 9

Wrap in a micro rabbit strip on both sides. The fur should be flowing away from the body. Start with each strip slightly longer than the hook and shank combined. You can trim after completing the fly if needed. Using the dubbing bump we made in the last step tie down the micro strips to cover the dubbing.

 

Step 10

And once again make a dubbing noodle and go between the fly body and each rabbit claw two times.

 

Step 11

Now is the time to brush out all the Simi Seal we’ve been layering between materials. This not only adds attractive flash but also creates the illusion of volume and profile.

 

Step 12

Before you tie in your crosscut rabbit strip make sure the fur is pointing to the left with the leather looking at you. Remove any loose hairs and clean a 1/4 inch tie in area on your rabbit strip. Here I’ve marked with a dot the beginning of the hair in the leather. As you can see once I’ve tied in the rabbit it will match up perfectly abutted to the previous materials.

 

Step 13

Wrap you rabbit strip back in touching wraps to the hook eye. Make a clean tie off and 2-3 whip finishes. Coat with cement. Always be sure to comb out your rabbit after the cement has dried completely.

 

Step 14 - (90 Degree Shank Version)

Slip the hook onto the shank so both the hook point and the shank eye are pointing upward. Securely tie down the open shank and add large dumbbell eyes to the underside of the shank. After cementing and drying, tie in another crosscut rabbit strip and wrap just as you did the body.

 

Step 14 - (Twitch Shank Version)

Same application if you’re using the 1/8 Oz Twitch Shank. Secure with thread and cement. Wrap shank with crosscut rabbit strip. Trim and cement after 2-3 whip finishes.

 

After wrapping the 90 Degree Shank version!

 

After wrapping the Twitch Shank Version!

 

For Any Questions Please Email: pete@spawnflyfish.com

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Pete's Pink & Chartreuse Simi Seal Clouser - Step By Step Fly Tying Tutorial

Bob Clouser’s minnow pattern is undoubtedly one of the most productive flies ever tied. This is simply one variation of which there are no end. By adding a small impression of an underbelly using a dubbing loop with Simi Seal you can quickly add profile or simply change up colors to match your destination. In saltwater tarpon, snook, permit, bonefish and so many other species will nail this fly. In freshwater large trout, bass, pike, steelhead and salmon will gladly partake.

Tied, Written, & Photographed by Pete Rosenau (@blueriverflies)

All Materials Used:

Hook: Gamakatsu SL12S - Size #2

Eyes: Hareline Brass Dumbbell Eyes - Fluorescent Yellow Chartreuse - Large

Thread: UNI 6/0 Waxed Thread - Pink

+ John Rohmer's Arizona Simi Seal Dubbing - Chartreuse

+ John Rohmer's Arizona Simi Seal Dubbing - Pink

+ Hareline Krystal Flash - Chartreuse

+ Hareline Krystal Flash - UV Pink

+ Nature’s Spirit Select Large Bucktail - Fluorescent Hot Pink 

+ Nature's Spirit Select Large Bucktail - Fluorescent Lime

+ Loon Hard Head - Clear

***For All Materials Used - Click Here***

 

Fly Tying Step By Step Tutorial: 

Step 1

Tie in your dumbbell eyes. Leave roughly 1/8 inch behind the hook eye. Tying the eyes on the top side of the shank will allow the hook to ride point up. Cover with your cement and allow to dry. It’s helpful to further your consistency and overall skills if you tie up 6 or 12 at a time. You’ll become much better at judging pinches of bucktail and dubbing amounts for sure.

 

Step 2

Tie in a small amount of Fl. Lime bucktail at a point parallel to the hook barb. After trimming and tying down the butts make a thread loop at the tie in spot for the tail. Make a loop roughly 5 inches to leave yourself a bit of extra tie off space.

 

Step 3

Align some of the Simi Seal and thinly pull enough to make roughly 2 inches height wise of both colors. 4 inches total Simi Seal.

 

Step 4

Carefully place your dubbing into the loop. As with most loops error on the thin side with your materials. The reason behind this version of the Clouser was to offer the slightest impression of a belly. A small amount of dubbing goes a long way.

 

Step 5

Completely spin up your loop with your spinning tool. Don’t worry too much about picking out the fibers for this application. Just make sure to brush thoroughly after wrapping the loop up the shank.

 

Step 6

Wrap you loop carefully in touching wraps and tie off just behind the eyes. After trimming and securing the tag of your loop brush out your Simi Seal and coax the fibers back toward the tail of the fly. Dipping your fingertips in water will help train the fibers as well as remove loose dubbing fibers.

 

Step 7

Add flash to the top of the fly in front of the eyes. The amount of flash is up to you. On this fly I’m veiling 5 strands of Krystal Flash. 3 strands of UV Pink and 2 strands of Fl. Chartreuse. Try to keep your thread wraps strong and efficient. We don’t want much bulk knowing the bucktail still awaits.

 

Step 8

Tie on a small amount of Fl. Pink bucktail. The amount should be roughly twice the thickness of what you used for the tail. Make sure to split the hairs onto either side of the hook point as evenly as possible before really cranking down on the thread. After it’s positioned properly trim the butts closely and wrap a neat thread head. Seal with the cement or resin of your choice.

 

Step 9

After your head cement has dried dip your Simi Clouser in water to help all the fibers and bucktail get used to their future underwater positions. Such a simple take on a classic fly, but sometimes having something slightly different is all it takes.

 

For Any Questions Please Email: pete@spawnflyfish.com

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Written By Alex Mangels (Pictured Below on The Oregon Coast)

A Beginners Thoughts On Fly Fishing

My journey into the fly fishing world has been brief so far, but it’s something that I dove into headfirst. I have only been slinging streamers and floating dry flies for the better part of a year, and I have found that my days on the water are becoming more sacred to me. Growing up bait casting every now and then, I had developed an interest in the pursuit of pulling these scaled beauties out of the water. Once I started using a fly rod I decided that it was something I needed to try and get good at, and I quickly became enamored with the practice.

Since starting out a relatively short while ago, I have dedicated much of my spare time to learning the ins and outs of reading rivers, fly presentation, and fish behavior. It’s a tricky thing to take an inanimate object and to make it appear like a live organism in order to fool a fish into eating it. Through the headaches and curse worthy incidents that can frustrate anyone who has taken up the pursuit of fly fishing, there are some things that I have found can be applied and reinforced from the river and back to civilization.

1. There Is Only So Much In My Control

The controllable aspects of life are the things that really should attract the majority of our attention. Fly selection, knot tying, retrieval speed, technique: these are all parts of the fly fishing process that are in our control. It becomes easy to obsess over why we aren’t catching fish and what we can do better. We can’t control what hatch is going on, how strong the water is flowing, fish activity, or water temperature. While these are all important factors, they shouldn’t be a source of stress that takes away from the joy experienced on the water. I would rather be focused on whether I’m going to fish a streamer with a Spawn Head versus a dry fly, rather than things that I know I won’t be able to influence. Focusing on things that are out of your control becomes a factor that adds unnecessary stress into our lives. If it is out of your control, then there is nothing that you can effectively do to influence the outcome. Instead, focus on the variables that are in your control and be comfortable and confident that you have done the very best that you can to achieve what you are after.

2. Even Days Without Success Can Be Good Days

It goes without saying that the goal is to land fish, but not every day is going to be filled with a take every other cast. Some of my favorite days on the water have been days where I may have not caught any fish, but I am still in a place where I can take in the beauty of my surroundings and enjoy the nature that I am roaming in the midst of. Maybe this has to do with the fact that I haven’t had too many marquee days filled with fish. But a big reason that I fish is to escape the rapid movement of reality and life in the city, and I achieve that most days even without having caught any fish. Just like I do with fishing, anyone can take something from an unsuccessful day and enjoy life, but also to make themselves better for the next challenge that lies ahead.

3. Nature’s Order Is So Cool... And Has to Be Preserved

Before ever having fished with a fly rod I had been quite active in the outdoors, whether it was hiking, camping, or just getting away from densely occupied human communities. I’ve always been in awe of the wildlife that I’ve either encountered myself, or seen through virtual means. But it wasn’t until I started fly fishing that I became more in tune to the order that exists within nature. I am more aware of the cycle of the ecosystem, from the life cycle of bugs and how to mimic them, to the spawning cycles of fish, their migratory patterns, and other predators (besides ourselves) that fish are vulnerable to. This new knowledge has expanded my mind in a couple of ways: giving myself a better chance at catching the fish I’m after, and building a greater respect for the natural world that we are a part of. Not only has it helped me with my own craft, but it has sparked a greater desire to do what I can for the conservation of fish and the habitats they live in. It has become increasingly rare to find low trafficked areas, even in the outdoors, where human presence hasn’t left some sort of mark on the territory. While we can have good influences, we need to be cognizant of how we impact the areas we choose to explore.

4. Keep Calm, Wade On

Seems pretty basic, I know. But it really does make sense in the grand scheme of things. I know just as well as anyone that constant tangles, snagged branches, and lost flies are going to get the best of you mentally from time to time. If a particular stretch of water isn’t producing results, just take a few minutes to breathe, then move on to another section. Your honey hole could very well be around the next bend in the river, not far from where you had your worst stretch of the day. For me, fly fishing is a hobby that I have picked up to escape the stresses of my daily grind, so I don’t want it to be something that brings even more tension into my life. Find the things that put you at ease, and make sure that they remain a relaxing part of your life that allow you get a mental break from work, school, or whatever may be your source of stress.

Finishing Thoughts 

In the the grand scheme of things, we are just a small part of this world we live in. Fly fishing has given me a more intimate experience within the natural world, and I feel like I have developed a slightly different perspective since I’ve become more involved in it. I’m no expert, but I care enough to improve myself every chance I get, and to have an impact where I can. Learning about the decline in populations of fish has helped to open my eyes to how much we as humans have affected the natural life cycles of different species, especially looking at the returns of salmon and steelhead in the Northwest. I’ve been lucky to have been exposed to some people within the industry with a wealth of knowledge and experience, who have let me pick their brains while I’ve just started out. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon, and I cant wait to see what I’ll learn as I continue to explore the water.

***Check Out @Alex_Mangels on Instagram for more great content!

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This will be the first of many updates from our local waters of Puget Sound.

Today was the first day I had been on Puget Sound in over two weeks and fishing was good. I launched the boat just before high slack and fished the outgoing tide for the first two hours. I landed six cutthroat, three of which were 15+ inches. I fished a floating line, 9ft 12lb test Maxima Ultragreen Leader, and a weighted Peach Spawn Fly with a single size 6 stinger hook.

At the beginning of the day I was surrounded by bait fish and signs of cutthroat. Rather than match the hatch or switch to a sinking line, I simply threw on a tin split-shot to drop my fly down just enough to grab the attention of the cutthroat. This proved to be the difference maker, hooking up on my first cast.

All of the cutthroat were caught in about 10-15 feet of water. Where the temperature was 61 degrees. This is still a bit warm and I believe that fishing will only continue to improve as the water temp lowers. 

I was hoping to find several adult Coho but unfortunately I did not have any luck. The Squaxin Island Tribe was out netting which leads me to believe the fish will be here anyday now. I will be sure to write a blog once I find the Coho here in Marine are 13.

As we move into fall I will consistently provide updates from the water as well as recommendations for flies and rigging set ups.  I generally spend a minimum of 50 days a year on the water in South Puget Sound and will do my best to help you target these incredible fish. 

 

Things to remember:

• Have peach flies in your box.
• Fish deeper water.
• Bring tin spit-shot.
• Vary fly retrieval speeds.

Remember 2% of all our profits go directly to the Coastal Cutthroat Coalition!

 

 

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