Latex Dragonfly Nymph

Latex Dragonfly Nymph

Source of imitation - actual Dragonfly nymph

Some Dragonfly nymph that I tie

Tie in transparent tape

 

Tie in foam

Tie in latex

and the latest tie in latex... with much simple steps.. with extra features.. more fishable

Materials:
Hook - Gamakatsu S11-4L size 8
Latex strip cut from a normal latex glove
Mono eye
Goose biots
Ostrich Herl fiber
Dubbing and wire
lead wire and 3M surgical tape
Markers

The step by step tying instructions:

Bend the hook and prepare the with thread

Tie in some lead to create a taper profile of the abdomen

I like to tape it with surgical tape to further create a smoother taper body

Tie in the latex strip, wire and a pair of Ostrich herl fiber

Roll the latex strip over to create the abdomen, tie down the latex

Pull over the Ostrich Herl fiber and spin the wire around to secure the herl fiber

Tie in another latex strip

Now tie in 3 pairs of Goose biots as legs

Dub in some dubbing to split the legs

 Fold the latex strip over and tie in the mono eye

Again fold the latex over to create the thorax, tie down

Tie down the thorax portion, trim the latex strip, cut the balance of the latex into a wing case

Color the fly with markers and the Latex Dragonfly Nymph is ready

View from below

Have fun and happy tying

and....Happy New Year 2013


With similar technique, you can easily tie this Latex Damselfly Nymph in no time...

Foamular of Corrugated Foam Cricket V3

Corrugated Foam Cricket V3

This cricket pattern was design in early year 2008, when I 1st came out with simple version of Version1, then Version2.. Version3 was a more realistic and complete version, and now I found a corrugated foam just right for the cricket.

Black and brown color Cricket - source of imitation

The very early stage - prototype

 

This is the V2 version

V3 - the 3rd version was more realistic and shape as close as possible to the actual cricket, look below, a comparison on the actual and the fly

Now the latest Cricket V3, a fishable and easier tying version with corrugated foam makes tying a cricket pattern only less than 5 minutes...

The fishable Cricket V3

Materials:

Pheasant tail fiber for Antenna and knob legs

Corrugated foam - Black, Brown, Tan or Yellow

Tape Wing or Hen Saddle ( cemented ) as Wings

Hook - Gamakatsu B10S size 8 and 6 ( specially for Malaysian fish ) / TMC 2302 ( for trout )

Goose biots for tail

Step by step tying instructions:

Cut a corrugated foam about 15mm wide, taper the foam as per above

Prepare the hook and hook in the foam, tie it down at the end

Tie in a pair of Goose biots as tail and tie in some foam to create the inner taper body

Turn the vise over, tie down the bottom portion of abdomen

Turn the vise over again and tie down the top abdomen portion

Fold the foam over and put thru the hook eye and tie down

Again, fold the foam over the eye, tie in figure 8 for the mouth portion to secure the profile

Use needle to pull in a pair of Pheasant tail fiber as antenna

Tie down the head profile

Tie in a pair of knob Pheasant Tail fiber leg

Prepare a hen hackle, cement it to form the wing

Tie in the hackle wing ( you can also use Tape Wing ), and secure the legs

Fold the foam over and tie down, trim the extra fibers and keep 4 as the legs, whip finish

Drop some head cement or glue to secure the legs

Trim the foam and the cricket are complete

Some local target fish that can be fish with this foam cricket pattern :
Jelawat (Sultan Fish or River Carp), Pacu, Kelisa or Arrowana, Kalui (Giant Gourami), Haruan (Snakehead)