Step-By-Step: Blinky the Streamer
I have been pondering a new streamer pattern for a while. I wanted to it to have Sculpin-esk shape (big head that tapers backward). I wanted it to be weightless. I wanted it to use arctic fox fur as the collar for a Laser Dub head that would have Clear Cure Goo Hydro on it. The problem was that I couldn’t get the back half of the fly right. I decided to use a Streamer Brush by Enrico Puglisi. I liked how much body it gave the fly, but I still wasn’t sold on what to do for the tail, and if I needed a collar. Over time I came the conclusion of using a normal marabou tail and a tuft of arctic fox fur as a collar on top of the back body. Here is a step-by-step for Blinky the Streamer. I have some other color combinations in mind, but EP Streamer Brushes aren’t exactly readily available in my neck of the woods, so I am going to have to wait until I can make it up to Indy to pick up some other colors.
Blink the Streamer Recipe:
Thread: UTC 140, Olive or Black (I use Black to denote the ones that have a rattle in them)
Back Hook
Hook: Gamakatsu SP11-3L3H, Size 1
Tail: Marabou, Olive
Tail Flash: Holographic Fly Fiber, Silver/Gold
Body: EP Streamer Brush w/ Micro Legs, Olive
Wing: Arctic Fox Tail, Olive
Legs: Sili Legs, Barred Clear/Pearl
Connection: 19 Strand .018″ Beadalon, Black; Three 6mm Beads in Olive/Yellow
Front Hook
Hook: Gamakatsu B10s, Size 1
Tail: Marabou, Olive
Tail Flash: Holographic Fly Fiber, Silver/Gold
Rattle (optional): 4mm Fly Rattle
Collar: Arctic Fox Tail (Reverse/Hollow tied), Olive
Eyes: Clear Cure Goo Dumbbell Eyes, Steel color, 1/2″
Gills: Senyo Laser Dub, Rusty Bronze
Head: Senyo Laser Dub, Olive (on top) and Light Olive (on bottom)
Epoxy: Clear Cure Goo, Hydro (applied to the Laser dub even with the eyes)
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- Tie in Marabou so that it is the length of the hook. Attach 2 strands of Fly Fiber per side and double back.
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- Palmer the Streamer Brush forward to behind the eye. Take a brush and push the fibers down.
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- Tie in the fox fur on top.
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- Attach two sili legs per side and double back.
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- Your back half should look like this!
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- Attach the Clear Cure Goo Dumbbell Eyes so that the leading edge of the eye is even with the eye of the hook.
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- Attach the Beadalon and secure the back half of the fly. I tie in the Beadlon so that I can double it back on itself before I coat it all with brushable Krazy glue.
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- Tie in a sparse feather of marabou to cover the connection beads. The marabou should extend back to just behind the eye of the rear hook.
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- Tie in the rattle (if you are using one). I hit the thread with a coat of brushable Krazy glue for durability.
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- Reverse tie a clump of arctic fox fur on top and bottom and then pull the fibers back towards the rear of the fly. Secure them with a few wraps.
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- Take a clump of Senyo Laser Dub and pull the fibers and dap them so that they are all going the same direction. Tie a clump in on top, bottom, and on both sides on top of the wraps on the fox fur. Double it over and secure it back.
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- Rearrange a clump of the Olive Laser Dub. Tie it in on top and on both sides and then double it back.
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- Rearrange a clump of the Light Olive Laser Dub. Tie it in on the bottom and then double it back.
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- Rearrange a clump of the Olive Laser Dub. Tie it in on top of the middle of the Dumbbell Eyes and then double it back. Do the same for the Light Olive on bottom. Repeat the stacking of the Laser dub all the way up to the eye.
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- A finished Blinky the Streamer!
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- Use a toothbrush or dubbing comb to pull out any loose fibers. When you are finished, the head should swoop back. I use Clear Cure Hydro on the front of the fly to make sure that the head will keep a big profile when wet.
Awesome SBS Justin. I will try to tie one of these once I get some fox and some hydro. The pictures and descriptions were great. Thanks.
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