AftonAngler
01-11-2010, 09:09 AM
Hang Time
Brad Bohen
Fly Tier
http://www.muskycountryoutfitters.com
Materials
Glue: Fishin’ Glue
Hook: Mustad 34011 size 3/0 or equivalent
Thread: Danville 210 Denier Waxed Flymaster Plus
Tail: Bucktail – long and slender, topped with flashabou (20 strands), flanked by two long barred saddle feathers
Body: Hair, Flash, Feather applications – reverse tied bucktail, flashabou or crystal flash reverse tied, pair of long barred saddle feathers and spey wrapped blood marabou. This hair, flash, feather routine repeated until hook shank is filled.
Collar: Spey wrapped blood marabou feather.
Head: Whip finished and lacquered thread
Optics: Optional, mirage eyes set in softex
Tying instructions
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs107.snc3/15463_1262433529823_1499253770_702854_2751874_n.jp g
1 – Prepare a level, solid base of thread covering hook shank from ¼ back behind hook eye rearward to position even with hook point. Treat entire thread base with Fishin’ Glue.
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262433969834_1499253770_702864_3766091_n.jp g
2 – Select a bunch of long, thin bucktail from underside of tail. The best tailing fibers are generally found at the base of the bucktail or at the tip. Tie in bunch securely above hook point with the tips facing rearward and encapsulate the tied down butt ends with thread, begin to build the forward advancing thread taper now and be diligent at keeping a level tie down area prior to the taper. Coat tied down butts ends and thread with Fishin’ Glue.
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262434049836_1499253770_702865_2482522_n.jp g
3– Select 20-30 strands of flashabou and tie down with five to seven secure wraps over the level tie down area before taper. The majority of the flashabou fibers should flow off the back of the fly with about 2” forward of the tie down.
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262434089837_1499253770_702866_1354039_n.jp g
4– Reverse the short ends to face rearward spreading short ends in a half-hackle fashion and encapsulate tie down area in thread and coat with Fishin’ Glue.
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262434129838_1499253770_702867_8100069_n.jp g
5 – Select to very long and flowing barred saddle hackles. Prime feathers will be 7”-8” long with strong shafts and even butt ends. Strip duff off butt ends and tie in one feather on each side of hook shank. Wrap butt ends all the way up to behind the eye of the hook. This will keep balance in the design of the construction. It is important to keep the feathers from twisting and great care should be taken in selection and application of these saddles and the others – much the same as in the Carrie series of streamer flies. The tips of the initial pair of saddles should extend back to the ends of the Flashabou. Encapsulate butt ends in thread and coat tied down area with Fishin’ Glue.
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs107.snc3/15463_1262434169839_1499253770_702868_6452944_n.jp g
6 – Select a prime blood marabou quill – look for long flowing fibers and a thin yet strong shaft. Strip duff off butt end, tie in and wind spay hackle style to cover tie down area of tail. Wind feather forward one twist spiraling in front of the other while stroking back the flowing fibers. Secure tip section, stroke fibers rearward and wrap back over the spiraled shafts a bit and encapsulate tie down area with thread and coat with Fishin’ Glue.
At this point we have a complete tail and are now ready to fill the body up. Notice how this form is already beginning to show elements of a fishy fly. If we whip finished the head off now this pattern would resemble a tarpon roach style pattern…
Also notice that we have established the hair, flash, feather mantra that will carry us to the completion of the pattern.
The backward length of the pattern has been established and one can visualize the overall length at this point.
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs107.snc3/15463_1262434209840_1499253770_702869_2302887_n.jp g
7 – Now we begin to build the body with ‘bulk’ around the hook shank. We will do this by reverse tying bucktail. Select a bunch of bucktail similar to the amount used at the tail. Instead of tying in the fibers with the tips facing rearward ‘reverse’ the butt ends and the tips…the tips will face forward over the eye of the hook. Do not crowd the tail materials and tie down area with the rearward facing butt ends. Notice the gap. Secure material on top of hook shank with five or six wraps and while holding firm tension with bobbin use your free hand to rotate material around the hook shank…
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262434249841_1499253770_702870_5010591_n.jp g
8 - …to get the material to look like this. Now we have a reverse hackle of bucktail, add a couple more secure wraps of thread and begin to fold the tips of the bucktail rearward…
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262434329843_1499253770_702871_1690088_n.jp g
9 - …this ‘reverse’ is where this reverse tying method gets its name and is one of the keys to the strength and durability of Hang Time. The thread needs to be advanced forward of the tie down area and then built up back against the fold over area. The angle of the tips of the bucktail is controlled by how far back you choose to warp the tread.
This reverse tied bucktail profile has both inner and outer elements in the profile of the pattern. The short butt ends form a halo around the shank and give an inner dimension and the tips form a halo around the entire body giving an outer dimension.
Remember to fully coat tie down area with Fishin’ Glue
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs107.snc3/15463_1262433569824_1499253770_702855_3287106_n.jp g
10 – Remember our mantra? Hair, flash, feather… Guess what comes next – flash. Select a similar amount of flashabou as in the tail (20-30 fibers) but this time tie in at the mid-point of the fiber with four or five secure wraps then pull the ends rearward and disperse around the top ½ of the hook shank kind of like a half hackle of flash. Secure with an encapsulation of thread and coat tie down area with Fishin’ Glue.
At this point notice the flow and shape of the pattern. Again, it looks very fishy and could be finished off at this point to make a very decent fly…but wait we are always from the finish…
Now you will begin to see the tying methods and materials begin to come together to form a very solid state pattern. The thread encapsulation and liberal use of Fishin’ Glue along with the reverse tied bucktail envelopes the fly in a protective cocoon.
Also, remember to utilize the material tie downs as an opportunity to build the future base of tie downs…meaning a good Hang Time tier will always be thinking about the future steps when applying materials. They all must flow and lock together to keep the balance of the pattern – remember we are tying Hang Time for a very picky predator!
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs107.snc3/15463_1262433609825_1499253770_702856_686479_n.jpg
11 – It’s time for the feather in the hair, flash, feather mantra…Select another prime pair of barred saddle feathers much like the ones chosen for the tail. Again, tie these in one on either side of the hook shank allowing no twist and wrapping the butt end shafts up to just behind the hook eye. Balance grasshopper! Fishin’ Glue…
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs107.snc3/15463_1262433649826_1499253770_702857_7437254_n.jp g
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262433689827_1499253770_702858_4507628_n.jp g
12 – Hair again! Select another bunch of bucktail and do the reverse tie thing now. Remember to not crowd the material to the rear of the pattern. You will also notice it is much easier to apply this technique and material on a level base…use your thread to build a good platform to reverse tie from. Fishin’ Glue…
cont.
Brad Bohen
Fly Tier
http://www.muskycountryoutfitters.com
Materials
Glue: Fishin’ Glue
Hook: Mustad 34011 size 3/0 or equivalent
Thread: Danville 210 Denier Waxed Flymaster Plus
Tail: Bucktail – long and slender, topped with flashabou (20 strands), flanked by two long barred saddle feathers
Body: Hair, Flash, Feather applications – reverse tied bucktail, flashabou or crystal flash reverse tied, pair of long barred saddle feathers and spey wrapped blood marabou. This hair, flash, feather routine repeated until hook shank is filled.
Collar: Spey wrapped blood marabou feather.
Head: Whip finished and lacquered thread
Optics: Optional, mirage eyes set in softex
Tying instructions
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs107.snc3/15463_1262433529823_1499253770_702854_2751874_n.jp g
1 – Prepare a level, solid base of thread covering hook shank from ¼ back behind hook eye rearward to position even with hook point. Treat entire thread base with Fishin’ Glue.
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262433969834_1499253770_702864_3766091_n.jp g
2 – Select a bunch of long, thin bucktail from underside of tail. The best tailing fibers are generally found at the base of the bucktail or at the tip. Tie in bunch securely above hook point with the tips facing rearward and encapsulate the tied down butt ends with thread, begin to build the forward advancing thread taper now and be diligent at keeping a level tie down area prior to the taper. Coat tied down butts ends and thread with Fishin’ Glue.
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262434049836_1499253770_702865_2482522_n.jp g
3– Select 20-30 strands of flashabou and tie down with five to seven secure wraps over the level tie down area before taper. The majority of the flashabou fibers should flow off the back of the fly with about 2” forward of the tie down.
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262434089837_1499253770_702866_1354039_n.jp g
4– Reverse the short ends to face rearward spreading short ends in a half-hackle fashion and encapsulate tie down area in thread and coat with Fishin’ Glue.
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262434129838_1499253770_702867_8100069_n.jp g
5 – Select to very long and flowing barred saddle hackles. Prime feathers will be 7”-8” long with strong shafts and even butt ends. Strip duff off butt ends and tie in one feather on each side of hook shank. Wrap butt ends all the way up to behind the eye of the hook. This will keep balance in the design of the construction. It is important to keep the feathers from twisting and great care should be taken in selection and application of these saddles and the others – much the same as in the Carrie series of streamer flies. The tips of the initial pair of saddles should extend back to the ends of the Flashabou. Encapsulate butt ends in thread and coat tied down area with Fishin’ Glue.
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs107.snc3/15463_1262434169839_1499253770_702868_6452944_n.jp g
6 – Select a prime blood marabou quill – look for long flowing fibers and a thin yet strong shaft. Strip duff off butt end, tie in and wind spay hackle style to cover tie down area of tail. Wind feather forward one twist spiraling in front of the other while stroking back the flowing fibers. Secure tip section, stroke fibers rearward and wrap back over the spiraled shafts a bit and encapsulate tie down area with thread and coat with Fishin’ Glue.
At this point we have a complete tail and are now ready to fill the body up. Notice how this form is already beginning to show elements of a fishy fly. If we whip finished the head off now this pattern would resemble a tarpon roach style pattern…
Also notice that we have established the hair, flash, feather mantra that will carry us to the completion of the pattern.
The backward length of the pattern has been established and one can visualize the overall length at this point.
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs107.snc3/15463_1262434209840_1499253770_702869_2302887_n.jp g
7 – Now we begin to build the body with ‘bulk’ around the hook shank. We will do this by reverse tying bucktail. Select a bunch of bucktail similar to the amount used at the tail. Instead of tying in the fibers with the tips facing rearward ‘reverse’ the butt ends and the tips…the tips will face forward over the eye of the hook. Do not crowd the tail materials and tie down area with the rearward facing butt ends. Notice the gap. Secure material on top of hook shank with five or six wraps and while holding firm tension with bobbin use your free hand to rotate material around the hook shank…
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262434249841_1499253770_702870_5010591_n.jp g
8 - …to get the material to look like this. Now we have a reverse hackle of bucktail, add a couple more secure wraps of thread and begin to fold the tips of the bucktail rearward…
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262434329843_1499253770_702871_1690088_n.jp g
9 - …this ‘reverse’ is where this reverse tying method gets its name and is one of the keys to the strength and durability of Hang Time. The thread needs to be advanced forward of the tie down area and then built up back against the fold over area. The angle of the tips of the bucktail is controlled by how far back you choose to warp the tread.
This reverse tied bucktail profile has both inner and outer elements in the profile of the pattern. The short butt ends form a halo around the shank and give an inner dimension and the tips form a halo around the entire body giving an outer dimension.
Remember to fully coat tie down area with Fishin’ Glue
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs107.snc3/15463_1262433569824_1499253770_702855_3287106_n.jp g
10 – Remember our mantra? Hair, flash, feather… Guess what comes next – flash. Select a similar amount of flashabou as in the tail (20-30 fibers) but this time tie in at the mid-point of the fiber with four or five secure wraps then pull the ends rearward and disperse around the top ½ of the hook shank kind of like a half hackle of flash. Secure with an encapsulation of thread and coat tie down area with Fishin’ Glue.
At this point notice the flow and shape of the pattern. Again, it looks very fishy and could be finished off at this point to make a very decent fly…but wait we are always from the finish…
Now you will begin to see the tying methods and materials begin to come together to form a very solid state pattern. The thread encapsulation and liberal use of Fishin’ Glue along with the reverse tied bucktail envelopes the fly in a protective cocoon.
Also, remember to utilize the material tie downs as an opportunity to build the future base of tie downs…meaning a good Hang Time tier will always be thinking about the future steps when applying materials. They all must flow and lock together to keep the balance of the pattern – remember we are tying Hang Time for a very picky predator!
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs107.snc3/15463_1262433609825_1499253770_702856_686479_n.jpg
11 – It’s time for the feather in the hair, flash, feather mantra…Select another prime pair of barred saddle feathers much like the ones chosen for the tail. Again, tie these in one on either side of the hook shank allowing no twist and wrapping the butt end shafts up to just behind the hook eye. Balance grasshopper! Fishin’ Glue…
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs107.snc3/15463_1262433649826_1499253770_702857_7437254_n.jp g
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15463_1262433689827_1499253770_702858_4507628_n.jp g
12 – Hair again! Select another bunch of bucktail and do the reverse tie thing now. Remember to not crowd the material to the rear of the pattern. You will also notice it is much easier to apply this technique and material on a level base…use your thread to build a good platform to reverse tie from. Fishin’ Glue…
cont.