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The G&H Rock `n' Roll (top) and G&H Tough `n' Go (below) were created by Harvey Bennett and George Pharaoh of the The Tackle Shop to target East End striped bass and false albacore.

G&H Specials

Jack Gartside created a prolific pattern when he first introduced Corsair braided tubing several years ago. Besides finding popularity for his own patterns, Corsair evolved in the hands of several materials manufacturers to become a staple on many fly tying benches, and tyers ran with the pattern's basic design to create a box full of interesting and intriguing patterns.

Harvey Bennett and George Pharaoh of The Tackle Shop in Amagansett started creating patterns with braided tubing last season. Harvey has often told me that he likes to keep things basic. He prefers to tie patterns using three principals -- Simple, Durable, and, of course, they have to catch fish.

Harvey's and George's braided tubing experiments resulted in two successful East End patterns -- the large-belly Rock `n' Roll peanut simulator that attracts striped bass and bluefish, and the smaller Touch `n' Go that's intended to fool false albacore. Though the patterns are tied along the same lines as Jack Gartside's, Harvey and George have turned the forced the tail ends up by pulling the tubing forward, making for a different presentation in the water.

The Materials List is a short one. Hook sizes will depend upon the length of the pattern and the targeted gamefish. Just make sure to select a size and style that will still leave you with a wide bite after the tubing is installed.

Harvey and George use Flexo Tube to create their patterns. Unlike Corsair and its offspring, Flexo Tube is more flash than fiber, so it makes for a very shiny presentation, particularly in stained waters.

The rest of the materials include Glitter Body or a similar flash to create the tail, tying thread, yellow and black paint to create the eyes, and head finish -- Simple, Durable, and it catches fish.

-- Frank Dalecki, Jr.

Steps

Harvey Bennett's & George Pharaoh's
G&H Special

Step 1: Slide a 2.5 to 3.5 inch piece of Flexo Tube over the hook and mount the pattern in your tying vise.

Step 2: Push the forward part of the tubing back on the shank and wrap about one-quarter of an inch of either gray or silver tying thread behind the hook eye.

Step 3: Pull 4 to 5 inches of Glitter Body through the tubing, front to back. A bobbin threader makes it easier to pull the flash material through the tubing. Wrap down the Glitter Body behind the eye, trim any excess, then tie off the Flexo Tube and whip finish.

Step 4: Reverse the pattern in the vise. That is, clamp the jaws on the hook eye, and make several tight turns of thread about one-eight of an inch behind the tail. (Editor's Note: A drop of a super glue can help to hold the tail wrap in place as you work.)

Step 5: Tie-off the thread and pull the Flexo Tube toward the hook eye to create the profile you desire. Trim the Glitter Body and spread out the fiber to create the tail.

Step 6: Put a drop of head cement or use epoxy to cement the head and tail wraps. (Editor's Note: While super glues are strong, many are not waterproof and it's always a good idea to give such glue bonds a coat of something that withstand the rigors of fly fishing.)

Step 7: When the thread wraps are dry, paint on yellow eyes with black pupils, and you're done.

The G&H Special is a quick and easy tie. If you can spend an hour or so at the tying bench, you can amass a collection of various lengths that could serve you well throughout the season.