EZPolafibre
Sand Eel
by Don Avondolio
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| A sand eel simulator is an essential
pattern for Nor'east Saltwater gamefish. You should carry several
variations. This pattern -- a realistic sand eel clone -- combines the dominant
olive and white sand eel colors with an iridescent flash from pearl Mylar
tubing.
Polafibre -- a new material
this year from Success Flies -- is a longer version of the synthetic craft
fur materials that have become popular with Nor'east Saltwater
fly rodders to duplicate small baitfish. Polafibre's additional
length lends more of a an enticing swimming action to the pattern, and
the addition of the trailing Mylar tubing prevents the long, topwing material
from fouling the hook on a cast.
The tapered head, small, silver eyes,
and overall silhouette also add to the pattern's fish-attracting powers.
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| Materials |
- Hook: #2 Standard Shank
- Thread: Size "A"
-- White
- Body: Braided Mylar Pearl
Tubing -- Small (Opalife preferred)
- Top Wings: Olive Polafibre
over White Polafibre
- Eyes: Silver Prism Stick-On
- Epoxy
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Steps
1: Cut a length of the Mylar tubing that is approximately
twice the length of the hook shank. Thread the tubing onto the hook, and
tie it in approximately one-quarter of an inch behind the hook eye. Add
a drop of head cement to secure the wrap.
2: Tie in a clump of the white Polafibre
at the head and over the body tubing. Make the length slightly longer
than double the hook shank.
3: Tie in a slightly smaller clump of the olive
Polafibre topwing at the head, the same length as the white underwing.
Finish the head wrap.
4: Add the stick-on eyes and coat the head with
epoxy, extending the epoxy down the hook shank for approximately three-quarters
of the length.
5: When the epoxy has cured, use a bodkin or needle
to unfurl the trailing Mylar tube fibers at the hook bend. For a neat,
tapered appearance, cut the braid strands at an angle toward the rear
of the pattern.
Don Avondolio is now spreading the word of saltwater
fly fishing in his new Delaware stomping grounds. He can be contacted
via e-mail to: ty2cast@erols.com.
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