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Gartside Hybrid Streamer

Been messing around with Jack Gartside's, "Soft Hackle," marabou streamer the last couple days. This type is a fairly sparse, wound marabou lure. I hit on the bright idea of doing it with bead eyes, like a Clouser minnow.
These are wound to be full out of the water, but are actually rather sparse overall. In the water, the marabou streams back and breathes sinuously... that's the theory, anyway.
I'll be closing down the tying bench for the upcoming season, at least for experimentation purposes. This may be one of the last new ties I do.
This seasons fly list (those I wish to concentrate on) is fairly short:
- Cypert minnows
- MM and Gartside minnows
- Briminators
- Gurgle and Hackled Ant foamies
- Soft hackles/ Nymphs
I'll also have a few rubber band grubs and Woolies along for the ride.

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Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on March 4, 2014 at 9:05am: Tooty, thank you. You, too, Carl - if it weren't for you two, I might never have tried tying the first fly.
The Gartside "SHM" in the photo is on a large eye, Mustad #6 Sproat hook.

Comment by carl hendrix on March 4, 2014 at 9:00am: no doubt david it should really get some good crappie

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on March 4, 2014 at 8:58am: Don, I've done them on #8 and #6 hooks. The smaller size is a good way to use the "non-fly" marabous you can pick up at the Dollar and Craft stores.
I can see those going down to about size #10 before you start really pushing the micro-envelope.

I tried the purple/white simply for the contrast. I've also done olive- and black over white. Some mallard or goose breast feather at the head is also a standard addition. Jack Gartside, the originator, added Krystal flash and Flashabou, and I've tried that.

The red "gill slash" is something I like, personally, so I include it.... although, I don't know if the fish will care. It does look cool and, well, just seems to fit.

Next time I buy supplies from Tim, I'll have him add some small dumbbell eyes and give those a whirl.

Comment by DAVID L EITUTIS on March 4, 2014 at 8:49am: THANKS DAVID , but you are more of an innovator than me and your work looks fantastic....what size hook on these flies?

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on March 4, 2014 at 8:47am: Yes, Tooty, we both know it's YOU that taught me the Joys of Marabou. I love the stuff.

Comment by DAVID L EITUTIS on March 4, 2014 at 8:40am: GREAT LOOKING FLY SCRUFFY and I love the splash of red where the gills would be . Purple ans White one of my favorite combo's for gills too. Of course you know how much I like marabou in flies buddy.........

Comment by Donald Schmotzer on March 4, 2014 at 8:33am: I believe you are on the right track, that looks like a terrific fly for the Crappie as well, a size 6 would be perfect. The reason I came up with the MM Minnow was that deer-hair is too stiff, marabou looks alive in the water. When wet, you will find it won't be so "puffy" looking. I believe you have a winner there. (I like the colors you chose too).............Don in SC

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on March 2, 2014 at 6:50pm: Thanks Dick
I get that, Allen. This could catch cats, bass, large sunnies, etc.
Playing to the odds, I'm banking on bass as the prime "biter" for these.
I've also tied smaller versions that should fit into the Bass-Bluegill Gap. Odds favor the smaller versions for the panfish.

Comment by dick tabbert on March 2, 2014 at 6:43pm: Great tie McScruff.

Comment by Allen Morgan on March 2, 2014 at 6:42pm: Scruff, you never know. The first streamer I tied (a no-name pattern) was probably 5 - 6" long. I still have a decent-sized Green Sunnie take a swipe at it.......