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Trout8myfly
06-25-07, 04:14 PM
"The Hooker"



http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/84/84000/folders/272890/2175152DSCN3915.JPG


Popper bodies and hooks:
Perfect Popper Kit from Bass Pro Shops - Size 4. But any popper body would work.

Paints used (all water-based):
Opaque Yellow - Createx (base coat)
Pearl Green - Createx (middle coat)
Transparent green - Createx (top coat)
Red for the “heavy lipstick” - Testors
White – Createx for bottom and mouth interior
Black magic marker for the spots
Clear semi-gloss urethane as a top coat (from Home Depot)Feathers:
Olive feathers for "herring-bone stocking" legs
Black Marabou for the "little black skirt" (can also use black zonkers or black hackle)
Fluorescent Green MarabouOther:
A bit of "bling" around her waist. This is Orvis' Holographic Tri-Lobal but any glitzy material will do.
5mm Doll eyes from Hobby Lobby ($1.00 for 50)
Green rubber legs from BPS
Fluorescent green thread, Danville 210 denier
Superglue for affixing bodies and eyes
Beginner’s airbrush kit from Hobby Lobby ($19.95)
One can (one is more than enough) of compressed airbrush propellant from Hobby Lobby ($15.95).
Toothpicks to hold the popper bodies as you paint. You could also glue the bodies to the hooks at this point but I didn’t want the hooks covered in paint.Procedure:
First, airbrushing is optional. You could simply brush on some green or yellow paint, dab on some spots, glue on some eyes and then tie on the other materials. I happen to like the blended look produced by airbrushing. Besides, this swap gave me a reason to buy an airbrush kit. ;)

I used craft paints made for airbrushing but you can use any water-based acrylic paint. Clean the airbrush between each color and allow each color to dry before applying the next color.

1. Push a toothpick into the popper body to serve as a handle.

2. Airbrush the base coat of Yellow and cover the entire popper body, including the inside of the mouth.

3. Airbrush the Pearl Green paint, about 3 / 4 of the upper body. Leave some Yellow showing on the bottom and sides. Don’t paint inside the mouth.

4. Airbrush the Transparent Green, mostly on the top one-third. Again, don’t paint inside the mouth.

5. Pour a small amount of the red paint on a paper towel to create a paint pad. Gently “kiss” the popper’s lips to the paint. You can also use a red magic marker or paint and apply directly to the lips.

6. Airbrush White on the very bottom. The body should show a gradual blend of color from dark green to white.

7. Paint white inside the mouth – either by hand or with the airbrush.

8. Airbrush a coat of urethane. It’ll go on milky-looking but will dry clear. Stick the toothpicks in a block of foam or cardboard such that the urethane flows to the rear of the body and doesn’t collect in the mouth.

9. When dry, superglue the popper to the hook.

10. Place hook in vice and tie on a thread base.

11. Tie in the Green marabou. Trim excess.

12. Tie in the Olive hackle feathers, one on each side and bending away from the fly. Length should extend to the end of the Marabou.

13. Tie in the Black marabou, one on top and one on the bottom, or generally enough to provide a skirt around the Green Marabou. Trim excess.

14. Tie in the Tri-Lobal at the base of the Black Marabou and let it dangle for now. Wind thread forward to the rear of the popper body.

15. Tie in the rubber legs (as many as you like). Add a drop of glue to help hold the legs in place.

16. Wind the Tri-Lobal forward and tie off.

17. Whip finish and apply head cement.

18. Superglue the eyes.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/84/84000/folders/272890/2175154DSCN3918.JPG


Now go have a nice date with some fish!

George Schlaughenhoupt
NGTO: trout8myfly
schlaugh@bellsouth.net

vidalia1
06-26-07, 02:14 PM
George that is sweet. I will order a dozen....just kidding but we definitely have to try that out...how bout Callaway this Fall.....

Kim Youngblood
(aka vidalia1)

Chuck Morris
06-26-07, 02:34 PM
George,
That is a great looking fly. The instructions are excellent. You are getting too good.:)
Chuck

B Kar Ma
06-26-07, 04:56 PM
I agree with Vidalia1 - send me a dozen! I knoa lake (you've been there, George) where the bass and bream would tear that up!

When can I have my order?

bassasaurus rex
06-27-07, 02:18 AM
you should see what a dozen looks like!
Great job George, the swap guys will cherish these flies.
I know I won't fish mine till I can re-create it myself. Just a serious work of art.
Justin

GonetoSeed
06-27-07, 08:21 AM
Could I have my order with the head turned around slider style? :) Maybe call it The Pimp?

Thanks for the detailed instructions. Of course they will end up costing me - just have to get an airbrush for that fade look.

Trout8myfly
06-29-07, 10:58 PM
Thanks very much folks, they were a lot of fun to tie...and I learned a lot using the airbrush. And they should catch some fish!