Tying the Charlie Bisharat's Pole Dancer

Okay so I'm trying to tie Charlie Bisharat's Pole Dancer. I was peeling back the original $17 fly and the fibers are wrapped around the glass bead and hook... What the heck is up with that? How dose one tie around a glass bead and hook? That is why the material/fibers are sitting so high up on the fly above the estaz on the hook below it. The first small section of Yak hair is laid on the actual hook. The rest of the fibers are wrapped on the glass bead and hook. Never seen anything tied this way, to me it would seem as the thread will just slide off the glass bead. Upon closer inspection it looks like the actual head is plastic and not foam. The back end is all hollowed out and the head is squishy like a Thingamabobber. I'm thinking it has a small air chamber. I want to take the whole thing apart but it was so expensive at $17.

Anyone know what this Pole dancer's head is made of? The one I have is not a foam popper in my not professional opinion. I could dremel out a bigger cavity on the rear of the head but I feel I will loose buoyancy 'cause of the added lead wraps on the hook.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4268/3...789dd32a_z.jpg

Here are some of the items for tying this fly, it's not all the items just some of what I photographed, I picked this stuff up from BMFS.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4267/3...1e7c5e0a_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/3...d33288de_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4199/3...e059132d_z.jpg
On the longer head I'm going to cut it with an Xacto knife and then use a dremel tool to concave the popper head. The popper heads were fairly inexpensive so I could experiment a bit if I mess up.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4200/3...5f58323b_z.jpg
Here is a close up of all the fibers in the fly body, White and pink bucktail. Also what looks like green synthetic yak hair, or EP fibers. I have both so I could test both out. Looks like Flashabou and Estaz as well. See what I come uot with.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4248/3...8b8da00d_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4244/3...5057fd67_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4203/3...d616f7b6_z.jpg
Blurry image of eye shot, will try and dremel the eyes as well. Not sure what I can use to color the heads yet, maybe just leave them white with red mouth and gills. We'll see what I come up with.

Will post up some images with some of the final results at a latter date. If someone has a the recipe for this fly please post it up, that would be very helpful.

Update on angled cut and concave with dremel. It came out really well, I do like the way it came out. I might need to smooth out but so far so good.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4203/3...0aa61a10_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4270/3...8a13f0af_z.jpg

I think the eyes might be a little more trickier to get done. Lot's of good uses for a Dremel tool, now includes popper reshaping.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4196/3...b6b78eab_z.jpg
This is the head on Dremel tool I used to shape the concave portion of the popper after the angled cut with the blade.

Don't quite have all the materials, still need the Worm Rattle, they had some at BMFS just the wrong size, they were to small/mini. I guess I could tie without the rattle. I noticed that just the larger flies had rattles and the smaller flies were rattle~less.

I was watching a video on how to add Rattle to the poppers and it quite easy. The tyer was talking about how on some occasions the rattle/glass beads made all the difference. Fish were keying in on the sound or maybe the vibration of the rattle?

Anyhow hope someone can help me out a bit. Trying to figure out what will work for tying this fly has been fun. I have something tied up but it looks nothing like the Pole Dancer.

Okay so this is my first rendition of the Pole Dancer. I could see where I could go with this fly and make some improvements on my fly. I have yet to fish it as I'm out of Zap~a~gap to glue on the popper foam head. I will take it to the local pond for a test to see the action. I will try both and see what the differences are and what I can do to my own tied fly.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4204/3...c16fb2e0_z.jpg

Looking at the side by side comparison I see that the OG fly used either olive green craft fur or EP fibers. My fly is a tad heavier, that is a given considering I used a larger hook and piece of wire instead of the mono on the back end, plus I have a bigger popper head. Well see tomorrow if I go and get the glue tonight.

Benny,

It's fun to play around with somebody else's fly. Keep in mind that Charlie designed that fly from scratch and then he tested it to no end. Anything you do to his design will, of course, change the fly accordingly. You might want to change a few smaller aspects of the fly to perhaps tune it to your casting stroke. However anything else you change, might come back and bite you and really disappoint you.

Good luck

Carl Blackledge

https://youtu.be/o5Sh2-uLs3g

Follow the instructions. They have kits for the fly mentioned above. It's the same thing. Saves you a lot of time. Also it looks to me like they use SF flash blend for the over wing not EP fibers, but I'm not a tier, so what do I know.

Hey Benny,

Awesome work at trying to reverse engineer such a complicated fly. I agree that 17 bucks is quite steep for a single fly. Keep at it and you'll get something that'll fish. Maybe Charlie completed many many hours of R&D on his fly and it might be hard to replicate or refine it but I highly doubt an angry, hungry Striper is going to know the difference. Keep at it and keep us updated! I'd fish that proto all day long!

Some flies such as Charlie's Pole Dancer, Lee Haskin's Neutralizers, and Dan's tail-weighted seaducers are very dependent on the exact proportions and amounts of material to obtain the desired action. There's a lot more involved than just making it look the same. Be prepared to spend some time and to tear down and redo some flies.

Benny,

My post wasn't intended to discourage you. I had bought and used the standard Crease flies and caught thousands of fish before I knew how I wanted to adapt it to my standards while preserving its best aspects. I knew I wanted a fly that wouldn't fall apart after each Sailfish or Dorado. I knew I wanted different colors and shapes to try to achieve different sink rates and "wiggle" factors.That's the rationale for casting the original many, many times and getting to know the fly well enough before modifying it to your liking. Of course, if you're just trying to copy and tie bunch of Charlie's pole dancers, I would strongly advise you to make every aspect of the fly exactly the same, then see how your copies perform before changing it.
my 2 cents

Carl Blackledge

Carl Blackledge,

definitely not discouraged. I see something that catches big stripers, and want to try and create something similar to catch the stripers close to home in the reservoirs. I could catch them on ima Big Stick, but have yet to catch any big fish on the fly. That is why I bought one Pole Dancer, I can not afford to keep buying files that are priced at $17 or more. So I have to try tying up my own flies. I'm not the best tyer in the world, most of what I have tied does catch me fish at one point. Some patterns work better than others. Quite honestly this is the first time I have ever tied popper flies. They are easier to tie for me since they are so big, I just can't see as well as I used to.

The flies don't need to be exact, they just need to catch me a big fish or two.

Benny,

Any update on this project?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Flyfisher70

Carl Blackledge,

definitely not discouraged. I see something that catches big stripers, and want to try and create something similar to catch the stripers close to home in the reservoirs. I could catch them on ima Big Stick, but have yet to catch any big fish on the fly. That is why I bought one Pole Dancer, I can not afford to keep buying files that are priced at $17 or more. So I have to try tying up my own flies. I'm not the best tyer in the world, most of what I have tied does catch me fish at one point. Some patterns work better than others. Quite honestly this is the first time I have ever tied popper flies. They are easier to tie for me since they are so big, I just can't see as well as I used to.

The flies don't need to be exact, they just need to catch me a big fish or two.

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Benny,

Cascade Crest tools makes the exact popper heads AKA Rodger dodger that your looking for .. Go to You tube and look up how to tie the Pole dancer and Cascade Crest has a post on there, the Pole dancers aren't very difficult to tie, I just ordered a couple dozen foam heads and will be making some larger Dorado poppers in Green and Yellow and a Tan and white for Roosters even perhaps a blue and white and a few in Pink and white for sailfish. they will be fun to play with in Mexico. One of the biggest aspects about tying your own is for use in Salt water you can use your own really strong hooks needed for salt water fishing.

Carl Blackledge

Flyfisher70,.... Your copy of the Pole Dancer looks good so far. You mentioned that your copy was heavier than the original. I would say that's because you chose to use a soft foam popper head. How about using a hard foam head. It should be just as easy too Dremel out the hard foam as the one you're using and will result in a lighter popper....

Another video you might find instructive youtube is the Zaggin Zook at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeatp-UTY7M

Hey guys,
I decided to tie up some of Charlie Bisharat's Pole Dancer flies with some tweaks. The only thing these have in common with Charlie's wonderful fly is just the looks. I use completely different materials and also a larger saltwater hook. My flies are intended for use on big, mean saltwater fish and so I tied them very heavy duty.*I believe the tan version might be the magic ticket for fooling the Roosters and that the gray and olive will work great on the Dorado. I also tied up a larger Dorado-colored fly about 6 inches long for tossing to Sailfish.

Carl Blackledge

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carl Blackledge

Hey guys,
I decided to tie up some of Charlie Bisharat's Pole Dancer flies with some tweaks. The only thing these have in common with Charlie's wonderful fly is just the looks. I use completely different materials and also a larger saltwater hook. My flies are intended for use on big, mean saltwater fish and so I tied them very heavy duty.*I believe the tan version might be the magic ticket for fooling the Roosters and that the gray and olive will work great on the Dorado. I also tied up a larger Dorado-colored fly about 6 inches long for tossing to Sailfish.

Carl Blackledge

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Here are a few more colors

I believe the original ones are 6-8” long. The smaller version they sell is around 3-5”

Hey Guys,

Here are a few pictures of the Belly Dancer fly tied up on a plastic tube. The reason for tying it on a tube is to adjust the wiggle factor with differing lengths of the plastic tube as well as the rubber tube that connects to the hook. Making the rubber tube longer or shorter allows you to use hooks of different weights that will change how the fly sits in the water (its angle). I plan to use these in Mexico and* my hope is that the guides will be able to just grab the fly and pull it out of harm's way and then take their pliers and remove the hook, leaving the fly unharmed. If this fly works half as good as the tube crease fly, I'll be a happy camper.

Carl Blackledge

I've been wondering what the sudden interest in tying the Pole Dancer was (other than the price) and found out this morning that commercial production of the Pole Dancer was discontinued. Result: the large version/size f this fly is now being sold for $30.00. There's been an increase in all sizes of remaining inventory, as well. Oh well....

Hey Darian,

I tie my version of the pole dancer and it's called the belly dancer I can sell my version for about 4 times less then the price you mentioned. My version is on a Saltwater hook and either in a tube or fixed hook. My version was tested this year in Loreto and passed all tests with flying colors with 3 different guys catching Dorado over 40 pounds and no harm to the fly.

Carl Blackledge

Hi Carl,.... I've been following you reports from Loreto. Very good trip and the Belly Dancer di some major damage to the fish population.

Because of how the Belly Dancer is weighted, I'm not sure about how the Belly Dancer will "walk the dog" as the Pole Dancer is used in the Delta. Seems like the weight being placed further forward on the shank is to allow the fly to be stripped rapidly in a straight line. What's your experience with it??

Darian,

Good point and good observation on your part. My opinion is there are two different ways to tie the Belly Dancer, For Dorado and Rooster's maybe just a few wraps of lead in the rear to give the fly some weight to sink the fly in the film and to support co-efficiency for decent casting, Dorado and Rooster's like the fly super fast as opposed to a fly that is slow and tantalizing.*

For Stripers I do add a lot more rear weight cause I think they like the fly slower and tantalizing like in "walk the dog"* I have sent this fly to a few top Striper guys to play with and send me back suggestions. I also tie the Striper version with a tube which makes it very versatile and easy to change the rear weight as easy as changing the hook.

The bottom line is the Dorado and Rooster version is as good or better then anything I have used and was a big hit in Loreto, the Striper version is still being tested.* my 2 cents

Carl Blackledge

Thanks for the reply. Your fly has some versatility to it. I'll be interested in following your results from Striper guys and fishing.

Darian,

Dan Blanton has 1/2 dozen of my flies and so does Rob Andersen, Dan has tested my flies in his swimming pool and loves the way they dart around. Rob hasn't tested my flies yet. Dan will soon take my flies Striper fishing and give me another report.
I will post the results.

Carl Blackledge

I too have an interest in the Pole Dancer as I love the "walk the dog" action of this fly. A friend had a couple of these flies purchased many years ago and decided to dissect one to get a better understanding of how it is constructed so we can replicate the design and tie some up for spring Stripers. This is what I had posted elsewhere but thought I'd post here for those that might be interested in this neat fly as not much information is out there on tying this fly.


Hook: 6/0
Hook Overall Length: 2-1/4” (long shank)
Hook Gap: 0.80” (~7/8”)

Hook Body:
Anti-Foul Loop: ~5/8” past hook bend
Anti-Foul Loop: 0.028” diameter (test: ??)
Pearl Estaz, appears to be Estaz Grande (largest size)
Lead Diameter: 0.030”
Lead Starts: At foam body (~ ¾” back from hook eye)
Lead Wraps: 8-9
Wire Foam Retainer Hook: ~.018” diameter spring wire, 90° included angle, 45° from hook shank

Wing Body (tied on plastic rattle)
Rattle: Skirt Rattle, Plastic Large, P/N: 420070 (10 count) $3.95 Supplier found: Barlow’s Tackle, Richardson, TX
Rattle Underside/Throat: White Bucktail, ~4” long
Rattle Side Feathers: (2X) Schlappen feathers, ~ 5-1/2 long, Convex outward
Topped with narrow silver tinsel: ~25-30 pcs (~.020” wide)
Wing Top: Flash N Slinky Fiber (light brown / olive)
Wing Sides: Narrow flashabou narrow/flat

Popper Body::
Foam: Closest shape available: Rainy’s Preshaped Saltwater Poppers, Size: Large white foam
Eyes: ½” diameter 3D prismatic eyes

Construction:
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two more next post.....

last two photos (11 & 12)
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Quote:

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Originally Posted by hilltop

I too have an interest in the Pole Dancer as I love the "walk the dog" action of this fly. A friend had a couple of these flies purchased many years ago and decided to dissect one to get a better understanding of how it is constructed so we can replicate the design and tie some up for spring Stripers. This is what I had posted elsewhere but thought I'd post here for those that might be interested in this neat fly as not much information is out there on tying this fly.


Hook: 6/0
Hook Overall Length: 2-1/4” (long shank)
Hook Gap: 0.80” (~7/8”)

Hook Body:
Anti-Foul Loop: ~5/8” past hook bend
Anti-Foul Loop: 0.028” diameter (test: ??)
Pearl Estaz, appears to be Estaz Grande (largest size)
Lead Diameter: 0.030”
Lead Starts: At foam body (~ ¾” back from hook eye)
Lead Wraps: 8-9
Wire Foam Retainer Hook: ~.018” diameter spring wire, 90° included angle, 45° from hook shank

Wing Body (tied on plastic rattle)
Rattle: Skirt Rattle, Plastic Large, P/N: 420070 (10 count) $3.95 Supplier found: Barlow’s Tackle, Richardson, TX
Rattle Underside/Throat: White Bucktail, ~4” long
Rattle Side Feathers: (2X) Schlappen feathers, ~ 5-1/2 long, Convex outward
Topped with narrow silver tinsel: ~25-30 pcs (~.020” wide)
Wing Top: Flash N Slinky Fiber (light brown / olive)
Wing Sides: Narrow flashabou narrow/flat

Popper Body::
Foam: Closest shape available: Rainy’s Preshaped Saltwater Poppers, Size: Large white foam
Eyes: ½” diameter 3D prismatic eyes

Construction:
Attachment 16653
Attachment 16654
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Attachment 16657

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Hill top,

The pole dancer just isn't that complicated to tie, I been tying them for years and sell them for $6,00 on tube are J hooks.

Carl Blackledge

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carl Blackledge

Hill top,

The pole dancer just isn't that complicated to tie, I been tying them for years and sell them for $6,00 on tube are J hooks.

Carl Blackledge

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Thanks Carl,

Wow $6, you are almost giving them away at that price. The fly I was given to "dissect" was supposedly replicated from Charlie's original design so I wanted to be true to the original if I could. I see the head of your fly is different and I'm curious does it "dance" or "walk the dog" as nicely as I've seen some of the originals do in some of the online videos ? Also, do you put any lead on your J hook as the original is also weighted ?

Thank You.
Chuck

Chuck,

Yes my version is rear weighted

Carl