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Fly of the Month Bob Ireton brings together his experience in fly fishing, aquatic entomology, and knowledge of fly tying techniques and materials, to design and tie durable and effective flies. |
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Volume 2, Issue 10
October 2001
Sucker Spawn
By Bob Ireton
Photography by Bob Kimsey and Bob Ireton
The 'Sucker Spawn' fly is an imitation of the spawn of a sucker. There are many species of suckers in our streams, rivers, and lakes, and when these fish spawn, the other fish in these bodies of water will consume this spawn. I have had success using this pattern throughout the fishing year!
When most people think of the sucker spawn fly, they usually think of fishing for steelhead or salmon. This fly falls into the same category of flies as egg patterns. Both are very good patterns for catching steelhead and salmon. But don't limit your use of these flies to just steelhead and salmon! I have used the 'spawn' to successfully catch not only steelhead, but also several species of trout, sunfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rockbass, and oh yes, sucker!
Fish this pattern with weight approximately 8-10" above fly, and under a strike indicator. Fish dead drift straight up, or up and across.
This is a good pattern to have in your fly box!
MATERIALS
Hook- TMC 2457, Dai-Rikki 135, Daiichi 1150 Size 6-14. For steelhead, I suggest size 10. Adjust size for other species.
Thread- Red; 3/0 or Big Fly"B" for base 6/0 for rest of fly
Body- Sucker Spawn Yarn; divide multiply yarn into single strands. Colors; white, cream, yellow, cheese, green.
TYING STEPS
STEP 1 Secure hook properly in vice. Pinch down barb if desired when fishing for smaller fish. I suggest leaving the micro barb 'as is' if you are fishing for steelhead or salmon, since these large, powerful fish can easily throw the hook. Lay on a thread base starting at the rear portion of hook shank, using the 3/0 red thread. Progress forward using tight, close wraps, and tie off using a whip finish, ending behind hook eye. Cut off thread. You want this base to be solidly done, and smooth, so it will show well as a bloodline on bottom of completed fly. Now tie in the 6/0 thread near the back of hook shank, and leave thread in bobbin hanging at location of shank above barb.
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| STEP 2
Cut a piece of the divided sucker spawn yarn aproximately 7-8 inches long for a size 8-10 hook. Fold yarn in half, to form a tight loop approximately 3/16" diameter. Using the 'pinch method', tie this loop in on top of hook shank above barb with 3-4 snug wraps of thread, being careful to keep thread wraps one on top of another. Leave thread hanging for next step. |
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| STEP 3
As you proceed, twist the yarn to keep it tight and compact. Now form a small loop in both tag ends, and lift slightly, holding both yarn loops between your thumb and forefinger. Let the tag ends hang on each side of hook shank. Hold the yarn loops on top of hook shank directly in front of terminal yarn loop, as you secure with 3 firm wraps of thread using the 'pinch method'. Keep the secured loops close to the preceding loops. If the loops look ok, lift up tag ends of yarn, and make 3 firm wraps of thread close in front of yarn. |
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| STEP 4
Continue this procedure until you have 5-6 sets of loops along the hook shank. Cut off extra yarn. Form a head, half hitch, and tie a whip finish knot. |
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| STEP 5
Apply head cement to head, and also all along the thread on the underside of the fly. |
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Finished fly from top view |
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