Chum Baby

[Dustin Bise]

So i just went off pictures for this chum baby. i was wondering if i could get tips/advice before i tie up a bunch more for my trip to hood canal. thanks! Also, what sort of hooks work best for these? i looked for one with this shape in a nickel plate but they had none so i got this hook in a 5 color pack and i also have some size 12 trout streamer hooks and some size 10 too. this is tied on a size 6 blue hook

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/500/medium/chum11.jpg

[Willie Bodger]

I like squirrel tail for the body and then just one or two pieces of flash on either side for the lateral line. I use size 6 or 8 saltwater hooks, straight eye.

[Steven Green]

I second that with fox squirrel tail.

[RedFive]

Third on the squirrel tail--I think the original recipe calls for it.

The hook I use is the Gamakatsu SS15, size 8 or 6. I also wrap about 2/3 of the shank with holographic tinsel and then throw in 2-4 strips of flash.

Is that blue flash you used down the sides? Do you use that color intentionally. Reason I ask is b/c I've found blue to be a good color to mix in with drab colors (sparingly, though), especially when imitating chum babies. I started using it (as opposed to silver) when I noticed the little guys had a bit of neon stripe down the side.

[MasterAnglerTaylor]

I like that tinsel idea, easy and sounds like it would work on it.

[hendersonbaylocal]

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26425

[Wayne Jordan]

Here's the one Mr. Triggs tied for the 2004 SRC Swap:
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/18091/thumbs/107fly7.jpg (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1884)

[Jim Wallace]

I tie 'em like the original shown in the pic, with the exception of adding a wing topping consisting of a couple of strands of peacock herl. Of the original few that I got from Bob Triggs, most were tied with the herl wing topping. I think it was left off on only one of those. so I tie them with the herl. Might not even make a difference. I also counter wrap the tinsel with copper wire, as on the first original Chum Baby that I saw. Probably not necessary.

One liberty I took with the original pattern is to used dyed squirrel tail. Try olive, or blue-dyed. The Chum fry supposedly vary slightly in coloration, from area to area. Some are brownish, others may be bluish. I've got some tied up in chartreuse dyed squirrel tail, and that color worked fine, too, the one time I tried it. Looks a little bright, though, olive may be better. Hell, just use the original!

First pic in this thread is way out there! Probably work great, though.

[riseform]

Thought I'd include a borrowed picture of a chum fry for reference.
http://www.emeraldwateranglers.com/images/pugetsound_chumfry1.jpg

[chadk]

Here are a few of my own patterns that work for representing fry and other small baitfish:

Fly on right is my version of a chum baby using coyote:
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/508/Feb_08_Misc_Fam_Fun_059.JPG (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26318)

These are good all around fry \ bait fish flies that silvers and cutties really liked this fall (browns and bows at pass lake too):
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/508/fall_flies_2_Large_.JPG (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24333)


A few smaller fry \ bait fish patterns:
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/508/medium/chumfry.JPG (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19398)
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/508//medium/March_07_105.JPG (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19165)

And these are good when I want to go larger, but still stay with more natural colors (canadian coyote):
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/18278/medium/JulyFlies_2_.JPG (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22360)

[Wayne Jordan]

I've been tying up a few of these in various colors...

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/18157/thumbs/AH.jpg (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24892)

[riseform]

I got bored last night and tied this with red fox tail on top (never fished). It's the same fly in both pictures and yes, I need to buy some smaller eyes.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/njh1201/DSC02646-1.jpghttp://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/njh1201/DSC02649.jpg

[Dinker]

I tied up a few chum babies with fox squirrel and caught a couple last week. Nice to actually catch something after being skunked so much in the last couple months. Those guys just hammered it!

[Dustin Bise]

alright im just a beginner here some im trying to learn the concepts. i still am building my collection of materials so i made use of what i had. is it bad to think of terms of lighting when tying flies?

here is a picture of the other patterns i tried out this last week. i had no lucky but i wasn't fishing very seriously. if nothing else i think they are pleasing aesthetically.

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/500/medium/shoefly.jpg