Deb Duran asked me this so I thought I would now post to group.
? How do you create the thickened 'bubble like" head on Tarpon Flies
I build the thread up a lot (Gudebrod G) around the eye area, I try for a narrow tear drop shape. Then I sometimes put on mylar or vinyl eyes and epoxy. If you only fish these once a year I would use 30 minute epoxy. I place the flies on my drying wheel at an angle with their noses pointing down, this helps the drying of the cone nose (verses placing them flat).
?Why are these flies tied toward the year of the hook Less fouling and to leave room if the fishermen want to snell the hook
?How do you get your wings to lay right
Tarpon are very finicky if your fly is lopsided you will never entice them. I use nice big neck hackle (from Whiting of course). You can use 3 left and 3 right feathers of 6 from the middle. Measure to length (about 3 inches on a 2/0 hook) and cut together. Antifouling devices include a tuft of deer tail or a feather stem with barbs about 1/4 inch long (this is called a snarvel). You can place the wing/tail on each side at a time for ease. Lay the feathers so the bare stems are sitting one above the other not all behind each other. Like the fingers on your hand when you shake someone's hand. Add sparse amounts of krystal flash or awesome hair. Then do the collar.
?What are popular colors
This year black and purple was the favorite (each way feathers and head) also red head and white feathers , black feathers with red head, honey badger and orange head, and a big grizzly seaducer. I like to use fox or bunny for the collars.
? What leader do I use
You will be using an 11 or 12 wt rod for the big fish. The latest configuration out of the keys is to disregard the IGFA standards and opt for a longer tippit. Formula 60 pound but of triple fish leader (2 feet), mid section 25 pound hard mason (3 feet), tippit of 4 feet fluorcarbon. The knots are not near the fish and the hard mason helps turn over the large fly.
?What about the hook Sharpen it until you can stick it in your thumbnail. Stainless steel are best.
Ginger M. Allen Sr. Biological Scientist Florida Master Naturalist Program Coordinator www.MasterNaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu www.MasterNaturalist.org Department of Wildlife & Ecology Conservation UF/IFAS 2686 SR 29 N Immokalee, FL 34142-9515 PH (239) 658-3400 (suncom974-3400) Fax (239) 658-3469 (suncomfax974-3469)
