Big Tail Stickleback

HOOK: Dai Riki 700, size 6-8 THREAD: Olive TAIL: Two grizzly saddle hackles, cut to tail shape BODY: Small pearl mylar THORAX: Pearl Krystalflash BELLY: Red Polar Dub BODY FLANKS: Dingy white Antron BACK: Olive mohair EYES: 3-D molded eyes

Uses

Imitates the three-spine stickleback, a comman forage fish for trout. For more information, see the article Sticklebacks

Variations

The spines are optional

How to Fish

Use short fluttering strips interspersed with five to ten second pauses.

Sticklebacks rarely venture into water deeper than four or five feet, so present your pattern in shallow areas.

Tying Instructions

1. Debarb hook, place in vice, start thread.

 
2. Tie in mylar tubing over back of hook. Coat mylar tubing with Softex or 5-minute epoxy.

 
3. Cut grizzly hackles to shape, insert into mylar tubing after it has nearly dried.

 
4. Repeat coat of epoxy, allow time to dry.

 
5. Tie in pearl Krystalflash and make three or four wraps for thorax.

 
6. Tie in clump of red dubbing for belly

 
7. Tie in Antron on flanks of body.

 
8. Tie in sparse olive mohair for back.

 
9. Build a head, whipfinish, and affix eyes.

 
10. Apply Softex or 5-minute epoxy to head. Repeat two times, allowing head to dry between each application.