Been playing around with some sand lance ideas and fishing them for cutthroat. All have performed well. Thoughts and comments appreciated. Jack View attachment 17094
Jack, nice work buddy. I really like the top 3. I think the peacock herl imparts more action and improves performance. I observing schools of sand lance in the water, they take on a golden cast at times. I usually carry a selection that includes some gold, copper and root beer colored forms as well. I am excited to start tying soon and plan on building a strong Coho selection of ProTubes that will include many sand lance in various sizes and clousers. I also tie a flat wing sand lance that works well. Thanks for sharing your great work buddy. I hope to see you on a beach soon. Steve
Thanks for your comments Steve. Like I said, I've been playing around with some sand lance patterns. Other than seeing some small (one to two inches) sand lance I really don't have an idea what they look like in Puget Sound. The small ones I saw had a bluish, almost transparent look to them. I am familiar with sand lance (sand eels) back east having been an ardent striper fisherman. We used fairly large flies ( 2/0, 3/0) and I either fished them with a fly rod or as a teaser on a dropper in front of a large plug like a Redfin. The standard color of the sand eel was olive green and white with some flash. I do like to tie flatwings and am in the process now. Will take into consideratin your input on the colors. I'm thinking a khaki color might do?? Best, Jack
Stonefish. Thanks for the video. I especially like the unplanned still shots. Here's one pattern inspired by the video. I think it View attachment 17141 might do the job.
The new one is money. If you get a chance I would love to see your materials list as this version will be joining my arsenal.
Jack, thanks for the detailed description. I think Steve is right, it's got the look! I'll be tying some up as well.
Of course, different length and color Clousers will do the job nicely . But that wouldn't be much fun.
Jack, thanks for the details buddy. I am up to my ears with training a new puppy but hope to hit the vise soon. This pattern will be at the top of my tying list.
Thanks for the inspiration Jack, great sandlance, here's a 5 feather flatwing sandlance I'm hoping to try tomorrow morning.
Steve, I like those flatwings. They will definitely do the job. Bet they look good in the water and will have lots of movement. Nice. I'm going to work on a similar pattern over the next few days. Here is one I just tied. It is a pattern I used back east for Stripers. I think it is from an Orvis pattern back in the 70's. When I fished bait for Stripers a long, long time ago , I would often buy a "rigged" eel. These were frozen eels 8-12 inches long and came with hooks and a lead lip. Deadly at night on Bass. When I changed over to fly fishing for Stripers I started to tie this pattern. Its length was limited to the length of hackles we could find. This one is 4 inches long. Thought it might be fun to try. Definitely fun to tie. Of course, I'll have to clip a hook. View attachment 17229
That is a crazy looking fly Jack, very cool! I know what you're talking about with the rigged eels, wish I had tried frozen instead of battling live ones! Is the rear hook attached with mono like a standard stinger?
Yes, mono on this one like standard stinger. In the case of the ones I tied for Stripers, I used wire and 34007 3/0 and 1/0 hooks. Possiblity of 50lb + bass (my biggest only 35lb) and always possibility of Bluefish. jack
Sandlance flatwing... Cutthroat approved. 3 Searuns and a Resident Silver proved this fly today. This one went just over 16" and fought like hell. Great way to finish a tough July. Thanks for getting me thinking about Sandlance Jack!
