Hook Fouling

[DrCrush]

I just returned from a trip to the beach. I was trying a new fly, one with an epoxy head, eyes and marabou. I was wondering if there is a tying technique (that I am not aware of) that will prevent the marabou from wrapping around the hook.

Any pointers are much appreciated.

:beer2:

[Marty]

I add a step when tying in the tail. I stop short of the bend, then lift the marabou and make a number of turns around the marabou just like you would do when tying a post for a parachute. This helps but it will still wrap around the hook. I have gone away from using a standard hook on all of my marabous. I tie in a trailer hook with Dacron or coated stainless. This puts the hook at the end of the fly and rarely fouls. By doing this I have found that I am hooking more fish (less short strikes). You can also use a smaller hook.

[PETI]

I use a loop of stiff mono, 40-50#, tied in on each side of the shank. Length depends on the length of the tail.
Again not perfect but it cuts way down on the fouling.

Peter

[hikepat]

If the marabou is done as a tail then just follow the advice of AK Best and put some stiff deer or moose hair extending past the hook in the right color but under the marabou.
Another thing to try use some fun fur instead of marabou on your salt water flies. Just as much action in the water but stiff enough so it does not wrap the hook so often and in fact rarely if at all. I have even started to use the craft fur as a replacement tail in my woolly buggers at times for fresh water use for the same reason. Fun fur is only 2-3 dollars a pack at your local fly fishing shop. The only trouble with the fun fur is it will not dye to different colors using kool aid like marabou will if you are doing your own custom colors but most fly shops have a pretty good color assortment. I have not tried to die the craft fur with Rite dye yet.

[Charlie S]

Hikepat and Peti both have good ideas. I use sort of a combination of both for flies in salt water. I use a loop, usually 30lb test Mason, about 1/4-1/2" long. Over that I use a bunny strip in whatever color needed. Makes a great action fly and fouls very little.

[DrCrush]

Thanks for the ideas. I just returned from another trip to the beach where I tried Marty's "post for a parachute" idea and it worked great. I will try some of the other techniques next time I am at the vice.

DrCrush:beer2: