Re: [VFB] fiber minnow

[Jerryphl9]

JG   If I'm tying a narrow profile minnow/silverside pattern, it will vary depending on the length and the color.  For example if I'm tying a silverside imitation.  I'll tie in a "tail" piece at the back, this will give me the final length of the fly.  This will be a blend of white hair with holographic silver angel hair.  Then I move the thread forward leaving a space behind the hook eye.  I'll tie in a piece of white hair blended with green pearl AH on top and a piece of white blended with pearl AH on the bottom.  These will be a bit shorter than the tail. Slightly forward of these I tie in a piece of light green hair blended with sea foam green AH on the top that is even with the tail.  Then a piece of white/silver combination on each side, and finally a piece of the white/pearl on the bottom to fill out the profile.  The last four are tied in around the shank at the same spot.  I use thin Zap-a-Gap to seal the wraps.  When it sets I comb out the hair with a pet comb, then reshape it with my fingers.  Then I use Flex-Loc on the hair for the length of the shank to hold the shape, add eyes and use either silicone or epoxy to cover the eyes.  The more material you use the fatter the "minnow", less material gives you a thinner "minnow".  This will create a nice 3-D fly in the 4 to 7 inch range.  You could high tie this top and bottom, if you spread them out along the shank, but I wouldn't high tie the sides unless you wanted to push more water.  For flies 4 inches and under.  I use 5 pieces, these are not high tied, just tied in behind the hook eye in the same spot around the shank.  I start off with the first piece tied in on the top of the shank.  This one will dictate the length of the fly. Then the back color on top of the white, then side, side, bottom.  Again the amount of the material used for each piece dictates the final shape of the fly.  Then I just do the same thing as I did with the larger fly to finish up.   I wouldn't high tie a smaller fly unless I was doing a small peanut bunker or sunfish.  For a sand eel, silverside, bay anchovy or minnow, I'd do a straight tie in behind the hook eye.  For a finger mullet or perch, I'd probably do a combination, high tie to give me a bit of bulk but tie in the last pieces straight to lower the profile.    That answer your question?   Jerry C "All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia."   In a message dated 4/25/2006 2:53:57 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:     If you're trying to do a narrower profile use less material, if you're going to high tie, or just use four pieces of material.  Top, bottom and a piece on each side. You can tie sand eels or silversides this way.   Jerry C        JC,    do you mean use the hi-tie method on each of the 4 surfaces.  (I am imagining th hook to be square and having a top, bottom and  two sides)    Do you advance the contact point as you go around the hook ?   JG