| TYPE: |
Shad Fly |
| SIMULATES: |
Probably Opossum Shrimp (Neomysis americana) |
| HABITAT: |
Freshwater Lakes & Streams |
| DESIGNED TO TAKE: |
American Shad (Alosa Sapidisima) |
| BACKGROUND: |
Originated by the late Irwin M. Thompson of Sebastopol, Calif., this fly has earned an awesome reputation among California's shad anglers. Deadly during the annual shad runs on the Russian, Sacramento, Feather, Yuba, American and other western rivers. |
| MATERIALS: |
| Hook: |
Sizes 8 to 2 Eagle Claw #1197G or #1197N TDE |
| Thread: |
Chartreuse Silk Tying Floss |
| Body: |
Tying Thread (Floss) |
| Head: |
Tying Thread (Floss) |
| Tail: |
Tying Thread (Floss) |
| Weighting (Option): |
Lead Wire: 4 Turns #3 or 3 turns #4 |
| Underbody: |
Tying Thread (Floss) |
| Eyes: |
Pair Small Silver Bead Chain |
| Other: |
Color Preserver and Clear Lacquer or Dave Whitlock's "Fleximent." |
|
| INSTRUCTIONS: |
- Hone point; flatten barb. Start at bend. Form jamb knot leaving about 1/2 inch tying floss extending back atop shank. If fly is to be weighted, apply lead wraps behind usual head space. Wrap floss forward to head space, securing lead. Lacquer underbody, allow to dry.
- With side cutters, cut off a pair of bead chain eyes.
- Place bead eyes atop shank in head space. Securely figure "8" in place with tying floss. Wrap floss back to bend.
- Wrap floss forward and back to form a smoothly tapering body, thinnest at the tail, thicker at the eyes. Whip finish, or half-hitch 2 or 3 times, behind the hook eye. Closely clip floss. Trim tail to 3/8 inch.
- Use needle-nose pliers to flatten sides of leaded flies. Coat body (not tail) one or two coats of color preserver, allowing each coat to dry. (Some flosses do not need preserver.) Coat body and head with clear lacquer or "Fleximent."
Drawings Copyright © 1985, John F. McKim. All rights reserved.
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