slim profile baitfish

(7 inchs long)

 this is a great fly for either fresh or saltwater when a thin profile is needed great done in sandeel colours for uk saltwater species 

materials are piketrek melon orange body material , gold/green spectrum flash and a 7mm gator eye from deercreek 

if you scroll down to the bottom of the page youll find direct links to suppliers  

 1 - take a 7 inch half a pencil thickness hank of the melon ornage and tie it in from the eye to the back of the hookshaft and varnish to protect the thread , then add a 7 inch section of gold/ green spectrum fibre then a few strands of melon to cover the flash , only enough to just cover it as you want to see the flash through it  

 2- next add a 6 inch section of flash and varnish , you then will need 4 6 inch sections of melon orange again half a pencil thickness you want to be able to see your hand through it ,

tie in with the material faceing forward one on top one on bottom and one each on the sides thats your 4 sections tied in , at this point i like to varnish , then usining the hollow tie method push all the material back , (i use an old pen tube to push back ), then add a couple of wraps to secure   

3- add in another 4 sections od melon orange slightly shorter than the last and secure down (dont hollow tie at this point)now youll need a 5 inch section of orange spectrum twist , at this point just secure with a couple of wraps  

 4 - tie in a 6 inch section of gold/green spectrum flash again facing forward of the hook now take your spectrum twist around the hook shaft in tight turns till you get to the point you tied in the flash  , then hollow tie the lot back

 5 - you will end up with the fly like this youll notice a small space at the front of the hook

 6 - at this point tie in 4 thin sections of melon orange in this gap hollow tie back and whip finish , then i add a little heat with a lighter to seal it add varnish and your nearly done 

 final step is to glue on eyes ive used a gator eye from deercreek you can really use whatever you fancy ive also added a thin layer of diamond hard uv cure to seal and protect , and to add a little weight , you could use 5 min epoxy but dont add to much or you will lost the action of the fly