First Bullet Head Darters

[DanMarino]

Here are my first attempts.
I need larger hooks and longer fur. These are on size 2 bass popper hooks. They are about 2.5 inches long.

[Mark]

Good start, Tom.

The darter suspends lifelike and pulsating in the water column. I've seen pickerels come from nowhere to snatch it. (Not as often as I would like this winter, unfortunately!)

Please come to Joe Bruce's demonstration of tying the darter at the Free State Fly Fishers clubhouse on 11 February.

http://www.snaggedline.com/showthrea...er-11-February

You will learn how to tie several variations of the fly, including weedless and articulated versions.

[DanMarino]

Thanks Mark. I'll be there if I'm free. I hope the darter will work on large and smallmouth bass on the Potomac and in Rocky Gorge. I'm looking for the fly fishing equivalent of a 4 inch curly tail grub.

[Mark]

Tom,

I hope you can make it.

Joe will tell you the many species he has caught on it both in fresh and saltwater.

I have never fished the darter specifically for SM but I'm certain they'll hit it.

[DanMarino]

I agree Mark. If the darter suspends a foot deep, smallmouth will eat it up. It seems like a sure thing, especially July-October, when the water clears and becomes low.

[brianisoutside]

I like it! I just picked up some fly tying "stuff" today too


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[bignose]

Thanks Mark. I'll be there if I'm free. I hope the darter will work on large and smallmouth bass on the Potomac and in Rocky Gorge. I'm looking for the fly fishing equivalent of a 4 inch curly tail grub.

A good sized Wooly Bugger with dumbbell eyes or a wool headed sculpin about size 4 will do what you want.
Possibly a good sized Rabbit hair strip Matuka minnow will work as well. The Matuka is a relatively easy tie.
Should be able to find tying instructions on YouTube.
You may have to use these with a sink tip line to get them down in current, or run a few split shot on your leader (I hated ducking every time I cast with the lead slinging back there).

[Mark]

A woolly bugger will catch darned near anything that swims.

The same can be said of a bucktail.

But that doesn't stop us from using plugs, spinner baits, soft plastics and a host of other lure types.

Variety is the spice of life, no more so than in fishing and especially in fly tying.

[DanMarino]

Here's the latest batch.

[bignose]

Very nice!
Your technique is definitely improving.
I've seen that color combo somewhere before.