Fly fishing is not just for trout any more. Now you can fly fish for big game -- the muskie.
In the past two decades, fly fishing has been adapted for catching not only trout and other fish traditionally caught on flies, but also that fierce predator of North American lakes -- the muskellunge, or muskie. You can make muskie flies, such as the Cove Runner, at home following established techniques for tying flies, with exceptions made for a large fish.
Instructions
1. When tying flies, the thread should be wrapped around a bobbin to maintain pressure on thead as you work.
Clasp the hook in the vice, which should be stabilized. One end of the thread will be wrapped around the bobbin to maintain pressure on the thread as you tie.
2. Once you have flies ready, you can head to the north woods for the main predator of North American fresh water lakes -- muskie.
Tie off the thread on the hook at the shank end; clip away the excess. Wrap the thread around the shank, ending at the hook's bend. Tie four green saddles on top of the shank by wrapping thread around material -- two to a side, twice the length of the hook. As always, clip the excess and cover the exposed ends with thread.
3. Apply feathers and other materials to the hook to make muskies take notice.
Tie equal-length chartreuse saddles on each side. Strip the fibers 1/4- inch from the end of a chenille strand and tie it by the stripped core at the bend of the hook. Wind the thread forward to behind the eye by 1-1/2 hook-eye widths. Wrap the chenille forward to the thread and tie. Tie in six strands of pearl-krystal flash on the shank top. Divide the bundles to fall equally on either side of the tail. The tips should extend just beyond the tail's tips.
4. Materials include deer hair (bucktail) and synthetic fibers that attract fish.
Gather a bundle of chartreuse bucktail about 1/2-matchstick wide; remove the shortest fibers. Even the fibers at one end and tie the bundle to the hook top, holding it in place as you pull down on the thread. The tips should extend about 1/4 inch from the tail's tip. Clip the ends at an angle, cover with thread and cement. Under the shank, tie a small bundle of chartreuse bucktail 1/3-matchstick wide. Even the tips and extend them almost to the hook bend. Clip the ends at an angle and cover. Tie a 1/2-matchstick size bundle of green bucktail on the top with the tips reaching just past the ends of the red bundle and tail.
5. Parts of peacock feathers -- the barbs -- help make the Cove Runner a deadly fly.
Gather six full peacock herls with unbroken tips and bundle them slightly unevenly. Tie them on top of the black bucktail about 1/4-inch past the tail. Tie two strands of pearl flashabou on each side, reaching to the tail tip. Stroke the back fibers of black marabou feather. Tie them on top of the hook toward the nearest side by constantly stroking the fibers and winding the thread four times.
6. Smooth out the end, or head, with the thread. Whip finish and cement. Coat twice with Loon's Hard Head.
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