Welcome to FishSalmonRiver.com
Your complete source for information on fishing the Salmon River, NY and Eastern Lake Ontario regions
< Back to List

Sucker Spawn

Submitted By

Dan
You can use any thread for this pattern, although many say angora is best. This pattern is tied in a variety of colors, with cream being the most popular. There are many varieties. Many do not use any tail. Some use fluorescent thread. A bead head can be added. This is a "heavier" version of this pattern. Some tie it much more sparsely by skipping the single strand wrapped around the hook from the bend to the eye, and some skip the step of tying all the strands along the top of the hook to the bend before starting the loops. The sparest version is made by just tying in the strands of the yarn at the bend and making the loops to the eye.

Ingredients

  1. Body : Yarn (angora is best) or UniYarn
  2. Tail : Flashabou or similar

Instructions

  1. Start the thread at the middle of the hook. Tie in 3-5 strands of Flashabou extending back for the tail. Cut-off so the tail extends past the bend about as far as the shank length. Cut a piece of yarn about 8 inches in length. Separate the strands. [This can be somewhat difficult if the piece is too long or the tread is very thin]. [If using UniYarn, use about 4 pieces]. Tie-in the end of one strand of yarn at the bend of the hook. (If you are using UniYarn, use one piece about 8 inches long). Wrap the tread to the eye. Wind the one piece of yard around the hook to the eye, tie off at the eye and cut the end. [I use the step to give the fly more body and so the bare hook is not exposed on the bottom - I don't think most people tie this single strand around the shank like this]. At the eye, tie in two to four stands of thread with the tag ends facing the eye. Cut off the loose ends. The number of strands of thread you use depends on the size of the hook and the thickness of the tread. On a size 14 or smaller with heavy thread, two or three strands should work. Hold all the strands along the top of the hook and wind the thread to the bend, tying the strands to the top of the hook. The substance of the pattern is made with this step. Make a loop with all the pieces of yarn about 1/8 inch above the shank and tie them back to the hook with two wraps slightly ahead on the shank. Make another loop the same size and again tie back to the hook. I alternate this process by laying the yarn first to the far side of the hook, then to the near side of the hook, and so forth. Keep moving forward toward the eye of the hook making loops and tying them to the hook. When you reach the eye with a loop, tie-off and cut the ends of the yarn. Whip finish and lacquer the head.
< Back to List