|
From sunfish to bass, warm water species have their place in a fly
fisher's realm. Targeting these species is a primary activity for
some, while others resort to bass, sunfish, carp and pike during the dead
of Summer - when finicky trout can be at their most particular feeding
patterns.
Ward's woolhead was a pattern that I came across during a recent OFT bass
swap. This pattern immediately jumped out with great potential;
shouting success with it's small size and realistic shape. Ward
Bean, the mastermind behind the pattern sent along two variations - a
sunfish, and a darker, dace like imitation. It was these two
patterns that first got me into tying micro woolheads.
After a few months of field testing crappie, bluegill, smallmouth, brown
trout and even some small brookies all fell victim to Ward's creations.
The best part is - Summer is just starting to arrive!
Although I've altered the pattern slightly (Ward does a much nicer job),
the basic principal of the fly is very much alive. A small, spun
woolhead, 2 or 3 color marabou tail, and a hackle collar are all that is
needed. The step by step guide below is for a typical sunfish
imitation however these little gems can be tied in just about any color
combination, allowing us to specifically "match the hatch" in minnow terms
when it comes to fishing our home waters.
|
Ward's Micro Woolhead Sunfish |
| Hook: |
Kamasan B984, size #4 |
| Thread: |
Black UNI 8/0 |
| Tail: |
Orange, chartreuse and olive green
marabou. |
| Collar: |
Grizzly chartreuse hackle. |
| Head: |
Dark olive wool on top, with light
yellow wool underneath, stacked and trimmed to shape. |
| Eyes: |
Small gold 3D eyes. |
Tying Ward's Micro Woolhead Sunfish:
1. Secure a size 4 Kamasan B984, wide gap specialist hook or
equivalent in the vise.
2. Tie in a short orange marabou tail. The length of
the tail should slightly exceed the length of the hook shank, prior to the
bend. Trim the excess.
3. Tie in a chartreuse marabou feather, equal in length as
the previous orange layer, on top of the first layer. Trim the
excess.
4. Finish the tail by tying in a 3rd, olive layer of marabou.
A few strands of olive or chartreuse Krystal Flash can be added at the
tyer's discretion.
5. Select a grizzly chartreuse hackle with short, webby
fibers and tie it in at the base of the tail.
6. Wrap the hackle forward to create the collar. Leave
about two thirds to one half of the hook shank uncluttered for the wool
head. Trim the excess.
7. Prepare a small clump of ram's wool by combing it with a
fine brush to get rid of the guard hairs. The diameter of the clump
of wool should be similar to the diameter of a regular pencil.
Next Page >>
Written By: Nick Pujic, April 2004
Photographs By: Nick Pujic © 2004
Original Pattern By: Ward Bean |
