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Cut a 1/8" thick strip of
pearl chartreuse Loco Foam around 5" long.
Other colors may be used when tying
variants, or when trying to match the hatch.
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Place a sowing needle in
your vise, securing it at the eye. The
needle should be at least as long as you
want your extended body to be.
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Stick the needle through
the middle of the foam (both length and
width wise), making sure that the shiny, or
pearlescent side of the foam faces the vise.
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Fold both the top and
bottom sections of the foam so they are
parallel with the needle and carefully start
the first segment by wrapping the thread
tightly around the foam and the needle. This
is somewhat tricky as the thread has to be
started at the same time, so tight,
overlapping wraps are key.
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Proceed to make the second
segment in the same fashion as the first
only carry the thread forward along the seam
of the top and bottom parts of the foam, so
the thread is not exposed.
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Continue to create
segments, following the same steps as above
until you've created about 5 or 6 segments,
or a 1" long extended body. Do not trim the
excess foam. Tie in a couple of half hitch
knots at the last segment and leave the
thread attached; do not cut anything.
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Remove the needle from the
vise and slowly pull it out of the foam,
until it's removed entirely. If done
properly you will end up with a great
looking extended body with the thread and
excess foam still attached. Secure the TMC
205BL size 16 hook in the vise.
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Carefully use the thread
already attached to the extended body and
start it on the hook shank. Make several
overlapping wraps to over both the top and
bottom section of the foam. Once secured,
trim only the bottom piece of foam.
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Cut 4 kinked pearl Mylar
wings, 2 slightly smaller than the others.
Bring the thread forward on the shank and
tie in the first wing; one of the smaller
ones. A figure 8 method is best when tying
in Mylar.
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Tie in the the second
smaller wing, on the opposite side of the
first. Ensure that both wings are level and
angle the same way.
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Using the figure 8 method
again, tie in the third wing, this time one
of the larger ones slightly forward of the
first pair of wings.
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Tie in the final wing,
opposite of the third. Ensure that both
wings are level and angle the same way. Once
all of the wings are tied in, apply a small
amount of head cement to lock the thread,
and Mylar wings into place.
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Bring the thread
towards the eye of the hook and tie in small
burnt mono eyes on top of the hook shank.
Secure with figure 8 method.
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Move the thread to the
very back of the shank where the foam body
meets the hook. Apply a very small amount of
chartreuse Ice dubbing to the thread and dub
entire body, carefully avoiding moving the
wings. Stop just before the mono eyes.
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Rotate the fly so that it
is upside down in the vise. Prepare 6 double
knotted black turkey quill fibers, to use as
legs. Tying knots of single strands of a
feather can be more than frustrating,
however they do complete the fly quite well.
Once the legs are ready, tie in 3 legs per
side of the fly.
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Rotate the vise or hook
again so that it is right side up. Pull the
foam tag left at the base of the extended
body forward and tie in behind the mono
eyes. Trim any excess and create a small
head with the thread. Whip finish and apply
head cement.