Feather Brain

Feather Brain

Dressing

Originator: John Morin
Hook: 4/0 Trey Combs Big Game Gamagatsu
Thread: 6/0 white nylon
Inner body: White Buck tail and pearl flash a bou
Inner head: Large pearl E-Z body mylar
Weight: optional
Outerbody: 6 silver American Rooster cape hackles, white
Outerbody Top: Rooster Saddle Black, laced kingfish Blue, then two short blue grizzly Hackles
Head: 5 minute epoxy
Eyes: Medium Prismatic

I had given a lot of thought for a new fly, one that would behave differently ,but one that gave a more realistic appearance of a bait fish. So I concentrated on contruction more than imitation at the beginning I had given a lot of thought to the traditional bait fish. Those type of bait fish that were standard deceivers, or variations of deceivers. Flies tied with bucktail on the outside supporting inner saddle hackles. The flash on these flies was usually clearly seen on the outside of the flies. All were basically tied the same way. Also, all had viable so called "Beaks".

The tie in at the hook eye could be large or small but always a significant part of the head. Some tiers overcame this with the epoxy applications covering the tie in and the eyes. But this always seemed to create a type of ball shape.

Another significant issue I had thought about was the action of the typical deceiver. There is no way I would state that this had any effect on the fishability of deceivers because we all know that they are extremely effective and always will be. I wanted something different that was realistic in appearance, that would not splay all over while the fly was steady in current or in-between strips. Finally I wanted the fly action to act like a fish. That is, the swimming motion should be side to side or left to right, right to left...not up and down.

A squid can act that way but I wanted a baitfish that was all-inclusive. Please remember that this fly was created after this year's season so my only confirming action has been in tub tests. But the construction of this fly does as I had hoped. When I created the Crab Apple and Flounder Around, I was looking for realism as well as action. This fly is based on the same concept. I hope you find it successful this year for you. It is a relatively simple fly to tie, but takes a little patience to set the hackle feathers. The following step by step instructions are meant to give you that ability and I will be sure to add some of the little things to watch for as you tie. By the way don't be wedded to all the materials, expand the design yourselves. I am sure you will see ways to improve this or add your own touch to it.