Another common tarpon toad fly. I haven't used it that much, but I like the materials and the color combination, particularly the red tail.
The materials: 2/0 5170-121 Owner hook, red rabbit strip tail, black marabou collar, black EP fibers, black Danville Flymaster thread, Clear Cure Goo.
Instructions:
Cut the rabbit strip. The key here is to use your scissors like a knife along the edge of the hyde, so you don't cut the hair.
Tie on the tail near the hook point. The tail should be 2, 3x as long as the hook.
Use two clumps of black marabou for the collar. Attach three fourths of the way toward the eye. When you use the marabou, tie each clump on each side of the shank, not one on top of the other as I first did. One on each side gives the collar better circular spacing.
Take a thin strand of EP, cut to about three inches and attach to the shank using a figure-eight method. The key here is to go slow and pack the EP strands in tight, so that there's no gaps. Loose wraps to get the EP in position. Tight wraps to secure. It's tedious. Be patient.
With the EP, go sparse. The thinner the better.
Attach small bead head eyes.
Use a comb to straighten the EP. Trim the fibers to desired shape. Some go more circular; I try to make it more of an arrowhead shape, shorter in front, longer in back. Basically you cut at a 45-degree angle, short as possible at the eyes, longer toward the back.
To keep the tail from fouling, use Clear cure goo at the base to stiffen, or tie in a snarffle guard as I did. I also dab a bit of CCG on the thread to better secure the EP and add durability.
I got this pattern off You Tube.
Here's the link.
Ripped Lips Tarpon Toad
