Bluegill - Big Bluegill

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 When the fish will come up to the top to feed.......This is the fly I use most. It takes very little materials and works like a dream. Be sure to put some CA (or head cement) on top of the hook to keep the fly from twisting on the hook. 2MM foam and  medium rubber legs along with a small hackle feather and a dry fly hook (size 10 2x) works great. Yellow with yellow legs, as shown, or all Black produce very well.............

 A couple of people have asked me about the foam spider I used to catch the big bream in Pelion SC. The foam spider has been around for a long time. This is my final version I came up with. This version seems to always float upright and looks very natural when twitched in the water. It will catch big bream and very nice bass too. I tie this as small as #14 and as large as # 2. It works so well on bass, that I only use poppers if the water is muddy. This is my GO_TO fly whenever the fish will feed on top. 
  01. On a size 10 dry fly hook put down an 8/0 thread base (red is my choice)
  02. Tie in a grizzly hackle
  03. Palmer the hackle forward and tie off
  04. Cut 2mm foam about 1/4" X 1 3/4" tie foam in just behind hook eye  (yellow is a favorite)
  05. Hold back of foam up and wrap thread back to about 1/3 length of shank
  06. Fold foam over and tie in at 1/3 shank length  ( same place of last wrap )
  07. Cut off excess foam behind last wrap
  08. Tie in one strand of rubber legs on each side (same place of last wrap)
  09. Wrap thread around nose and whip finish
  10. Use black sharpie to make eyes and barr the legs
  11. Use red sharpie to make red mark on back (or desired effect)
  12. Head cement or small amount of CA glue
      I hope someone else can have as much fun with this one as I have.................Don S. in SC    "Don't be afraid to "FLY"


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Replies to This Discussion

Very nice , I like that Have to add to my fly box for this summer.

 Thanks for the write up and pics, definately one I need to tie up and try out! Size 10 or 12 should cast nicely on my 2wt.

Nice spider.....and you are correct that they are real fish getters. I posted my version in another group. I have never tied any larger than an 8 but I may give it a try. 10 is the most used size in my box. I go to 14 when the gill seem to be short striking. Any color is fine ....as long as it is yellow. hehehe

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