Fly Pattern submitted by Rick Slennett
Being a devout flyfisherman and not wanting to delve too much into the dark side something had to be done. Not being one to try to create a fly just for the sake of it, this fly came about purely to emulate the minnow, its action and fish catching abilities. I use this pattern for 90 per cent ofmy fishing and have done for over a year now.
Fish this fly with confidence for Bream, Flathead, Trevs and Jacks etc and most of the other Estuary dwellers. It’s also taken most of the Northern estuary species as well as bass.
General consensus as to why the Bass Minnow is such an effective lure seems to come back to that lovely wobbling motion that the tail has and with that in mind, profile and tail action were the main focus- thus the“Polar Squirt” was created.
Materials
Polarfibre or Craftfur (longhaired)
Supreme Hair-same or similar colour to Polarfibre
Use thread the same colour as Polarfibre. Small amount of flash if required
Beadchain eyes, Loon Soft Head
Extra tools:Hair Comb and Cutters for bead chain.
Instructions
1. Start thread at eye of hook and tie in Beadchain eyes, leaving an eye distance
in front of eyes for the wing.
2. Lay a bed of thread all the way to bend tie in a few strands of flash if desired.
3. Cut off approx 5mm thick Polarfibre twice the length of hook and tie in for tail
at the bend of hook. When cutting the Polarfibre for the tail do not remove the
short under hairs as these give thickness and ‘body’ to the tail
4. Stroke a comb through the Polarfibre and use the bits that remain in the comb
for Dubbing material
5. Apply dubbing to thread and wrap body all the way to the back of the eyes
6. Advance thread in front of eyes and tie in a matchstick thickness of Supreme
Hair (same colour if possible)
7. Take thread behind wing twice to make it angle towards the hook point, trim
and whip finish
As an added touch you can very lightly smear Loon Softhead along the tail which will adhere it together keeping the tail together instead of it ’Puffing’.
The short stiff wing made from Supreme Hair serves three purposes:
1. Increases drag towards the hook point, reinforcing the 'Point up' swimming of
the fly
2. Weed guards the hood to a certain extent
3. Obscures the hook point to the fish
Notes
The body is dubbed in the same colour Polarfibre used (whites, creams and shrimpy colours are good) for the tail so that the tail looks like a continuation from the body.
Heavier eyes can be used; however bead chain will give a more natural action and nice subtle rattle.
