Great fly, nicely tied! I really like your tying video format where you start with the finished fly in the vise. While I like watching the tying steps in tying videos, I often have to fast forward to see the finished fly; with your videos, that is right up front for quick and easy reference! Thanks!
Thank you and glad you like the fly and video. Thank you very much for the feedback on the video format. One pet peeve of mine is starting to watch a tying video and the fly is shown but then the fly that is tied is different materials or tied a little different. The way I structure the video is to tie the fly and then record the introduction so the fly in the beginning is the EXACT fly that is tied in the video. I think it makes for better quality overall. Sounds like it works. - Ian Anderson
I bought that Chris Helms DVD back when it first came out. I have tied many variations of the Panfish Predator and still tie up a few every spring whether I need them or not, along with my Crappie and Bluegill micro jigs. The Predator and foam rubber spiders are the only topwater panfish flies I use, I don`t fool with poppers or dry flies. Nymphs are the way to go for most of my Bluegill fishing. Really enjoy your tying videos, very well done, crystal clear, sharp as a razor, and good audio. I know it isn`t easy making these high-quality videos, and I for one, really appreciate your hard work. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your feedback and kind words. Hearing from others about them liking the videos and finding something useful in them is what I like best. Being in warmwater country I also purchased the Chris Helm's panfish DVD when it first came out. It has some wonderful flies in it that are fun at the vise and produce fish. I also agree that nymphs catch many more fish (panfish that is) then topwater. However, it can't beat the fun of catching them on the surface on a warm summer evening when it seems like the sunset lasts forever! I shall get some more panfish flies on the schedule! Be Well, - Ian Anderson
I really love this pattern! I will tie up some with color options for largemouth and larger trout here in North Texas. Thanks very much for helping with tying to keep me focused and excited.
Marshall, I am glad you like the Predator, it is a wonderful fly. Other productive colors are Orange, Yellow, Black, Blue (sort of a light Blue) and Olive. Nice to hear the videos are helping to keep you motivated. Let me know if there is any fly I can do that will help keep the excitement going. - Ian Anderson
It's really nice, I can see this in about 323 different colors (maybe a little exaggeration), but seriously, it's very nice. Subscribed, new to tying, and can't wait to make a few hundred of these. Thank you, Nick in Redfield Arkansas
Welcome to the wonderful world of fly tying. If you are going to tie 323 flies you picked a good one. The Predator does lend itself to different colors and materials. Plus, it is very effective fly. - Ian Anderson
You do such a great job on all your videos! Thank you so much, this one looks awesome, I've watching this video many times and finally just ordered everything I need from Amazon today. This is going to be my daughter's secret "weapon of mass gill-struction" for the bluegill spawn this year!
Thank you for the compliments! I am glad you like the video and the fly. Chris Helm's said this was one of his most sought after flies. It is a great on panfish and Bass and I am certain you and your daughter will have fun. Thanks for the feedback. - Ian Anderson
I love tying this pattern. I'm going to change out the under body to orange. Blue hills and bass always hitting my yellow with orange bottom. Looking forward to trying them this year👍
It is a wonderful patter. I have seen these tied in all Orange as well as all black. I always thought an Orange underbody and Olive back would work well. - Ian Anderson
Nice fly. When it comes to eyes for these type flies I like using mono line and seed beads. Putting the beads on then melting the mono with a lighter gives you eyes with a pupil. The fish may not notice, but dang they look good in the fly box. Keep up the good work.
Thomas, Thanks for the feedback. I have used that technique on subsurface flies like baitfish and crawdads. Hadn't thought about it for the Predator. I will have to try it out. - Ian Anderson
If you did a black body with orange legs and orange eyes you would have a great cicada pattern thats not hard to tie... maybe some antron yarn on top for wings....
Thank you for the compliment. This is a fun fly to work on your tying skills with as well as fish. I like to do them in different color schemes so I have various ones for different lighting conditions. - Ian Anderson
Say , I e tied a few of these and gave them to a friend who said the fly lands upside down ( hook point up). He got lots of sticks but no hook sets. Any suggestions on how to keep it hook point down? Thank you.
Good question. I have found if I use too light a hook it will sometimes have issues with landing hook point up. The usual issue is that the fly itself will spin in the air as it is being cast and it will twist up the leader which will sometime cause it continually land hook point up. I have found that using a loop knot (like a perfection loop, duncan loop, etc...) when attaching the fly to the tippet will help in it landing correctly. - Ian Anderson
Curious, have you tried the Skip Morris version? It’s a bit more complicated with the rubber legs that exit the foam body through the year. I’m up for a challenge, but I’m curious if it makes that much of a difference. My guess is not.
I have not tried tying his version, rather his latest version. A number of years ago there was a video out (I think Skip produced it) on tying the Predator but he put it together differently. Mostly, the rear legs did not come out through the foam. Then a couple of years ago he did the updated video which has the legs through the foam. Not that one is particularly better than the other however, the Predator was originally tied as a dragonfly nymph and was fished subsurface. Chris Helm's popularized it as a topwater panfish fly. I have a couple friends who have tied it the way Skip does and they have commented that the fly works just as well without passing the legs through the foam. I think it comes down to which you prefer and enjoy tying. The fish just enjoy eating it. Thanks for the question. - Ian Anderson
Hey there, superb pattern I’ve tied this one this week it’s great. My question is, when applying the head cement I find it hard to apply a precise layer. In this video you use what looks like a syringe type of unit, what would that be please it’s more precise than what I currently use which is a long needle point dipped in the bottle. 🤙
Thanks for the information. That is the downside to providing links to the products used in the flies. It can be available when you publish the video and not available at some point in the future. Head over to Mad River Outfitters (www.madriveroutfitters.com). They have both the Fl. Orange legs and the Chartreuse 2mm foam in stock (at this time). - Ian Anderson
Glen, you certainly could substitute beadchain, however since they are heavier (not by much) they might have a tendency to make the head of the fly dip below the surface of the water. Which can possibly help the pattern. You never know until you try. Thanks for the question. - Ian Anderson
Glad too, that is a good question. If you want to stick with the monofilament and not add the weight of the beadchain eyes do a search on TH-cam on making your own mono eyes. It is an easy process with a lighters, some old mono fishing line and some nail polish. Let me know how they turn out. - Ian Anderson
Great fly, nicely tied! I really like your tying video format where you start with the finished fly in the vise. While I like watching the tying steps in tying videos, I often have to fast forward to see the finished fly; with your videos, that is right up front for quick and easy reference! Thanks!
Thank you and glad you like the fly and video. Thank you very much for the feedback on the video format. One pet peeve of mine is starting to watch a tying video and the fly is shown but then the fly that is tied is different materials or tied a little different. The way I structure the video is to tie the fly and then record the introduction so the fly in the beginning is the EXACT fly that is tied in the video. I think it makes for better quality overall. Sounds like it works. - Ian Anderson
I bought that Chris Helms DVD back when it first came out. I have tied many variations of the Panfish Predator and still tie up a few every spring whether I need them or not, along with my Crappie and Bluegill micro jigs. The Predator and foam rubber spiders are the only topwater panfish flies I use, I don`t fool with poppers or dry flies. Nymphs are the way to go for most of my Bluegill fishing. Really enjoy your tying videos, very well done, crystal clear, sharp as a razor, and good audio. I know it isn`t easy making these high-quality videos, and I for one, really appreciate your hard work. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your feedback and kind words. Hearing from others about them liking the videos and finding something useful in them is what I like best.
Being in warmwater country I also purchased the Chris Helm's panfish DVD when it first came out. It has some wonderful flies in it that are fun at the vise and produce fish. I also agree that nymphs catch many more fish (panfish that is) then topwater. However, it can't beat the fun of catching them on the surface on a warm summer evening when it seems like the sunset lasts forever!
I shall get some more panfish flies on the schedule! Be Well, - Ian Anderson
I really love this pattern! I will tie up some with color options for largemouth and larger trout here in North Texas. Thanks very much for helping with tying to keep me focused and excited.
Marshall, I am glad you like the Predator, it is a wonderful fly. Other productive colors are Orange, Yellow, Black, Blue (sort of a light Blue) and Olive. Nice to hear the videos are helping to keep you motivated. Let me know if there is any fly I can do that will help keep the excitement going. - Ian Anderson
It's really nice, I can see this in about 323 different colors (maybe a little exaggeration), but seriously, it's very nice.
Subscribed, new to tying, and can't wait to make a few hundred of these.
Thank you,
Nick in Redfield Arkansas
Welcome to the wonderful world of fly tying. If you are going to tie 323 flies you picked a good one. The Predator does lend itself to different colors and materials. Plus, it is very effective fly. - Ian Anderson
You do such a great job on all your videos! Thank you so much, this one looks awesome, I've watching this video many times and finally just ordered everything I need from Amazon today. This is going to be my daughter's secret "weapon of mass gill-struction" for the bluegill spawn this year!
Thank you for the compliments! I am glad you like the video and the fly. Chris Helm's said this was one of his most sought after flies. It is a great on panfish and Bass and I am certain you and your daughter will have fun. Thanks for the feedback. - Ian Anderson
By the way... let me know if there is any other pattern you would like to see a video on! - Ian Anderson
I love tying this pattern. I'm going to change out the under body to orange. Blue hills and bass always hitting my yellow with orange bottom. Looking forward to trying them this year👍
It is a wonderful patter. I have seen these tied in all Orange as well as all black. I always thought an Orange underbody and Olive back would work well. - Ian Anderson
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am greatly enjoying you fly tying videos!
Matt, thank you for the feedback. I enjoy passing along not only the flies but things I have learned over the years. - Ian Anderson
SPECTACULAR.
Did I miss you putting on any glue or cement?
Thank you, I am glad you like the video. You must have blinked because I do add some cement to the thread wraps to help secure them. - Ian Anderson
Nice fly. When it comes to eyes for these type flies I like using mono line and seed beads. Putting the beads on then melting the mono with a lighter gives you eyes with a pupil. The fish may not notice, but dang they look good in the fly box. Keep up the good work.
Thomas, Thanks for the feedback. I have used that technique on subsurface flies like baitfish and crawdads. Hadn't thought about it for the Predator. I will have to try it out. - Ian Anderson
Great video, easy tie Thank You
Thanks for the compliment. I am glad you like the fly and the video. It is an easy tie and a very productive fly. - Ian Anderson
Great video, Thanks.
Thank you. An even better fly. Thanks for the comment. - Ian Anderson
If you did a black body with orange legs and orange eyes you would have a great cicada pattern thats not hard to tie... maybe some antron yarn on top for wings....
Great idea! This fly is an easy one to modify for various fishing situations. Another reason it is such a great fly. - Ian Anderson
This looks like a variation of the .... super fly
Not familiar with that one. - Ian Anderson
Very good fly 💯💯💯👍🏽
Thank you, I am glad you like the video. Tie some up, you'll like them better! - Ian Anderson
i LOVE THAT fly
It is a fun fly to tie and fish! - Ian Anderson
Nice looking fly! It's ideal for a fish that we have here in Argentina, the pira pita.
Thanks for the comment and compliment. Looks like those Pira Pita's can get pretty big. - Ian Anderson
Superb fly. Mine are approaching that quality, but I'm not there yet!
Thank you for the compliment. This is a fun fly to work on your tying skills with as well as fish. I like to do them in different color schemes so I have various ones for different lighting conditions. - Ian Anderson
Say , I e tied a few of these and gave them to a friend who said the fly lands upside down ( hook point up). He got lots of sticks but no hook sets.
Any suggestions on how to keep it hook point down? Thank you.
Good question. I have found if I use too light a hook it will sometimes have issues with landing hook point up. The usual issue is that the fly itself will spin in the air as it is being cast and it will twist up the leader which will sometime cause it continually land hook point up. I have found that using a loop knot (like a perfection loop, duncan loop, etc...) when attaching the fly to the tippet will help in it landing correctly. - Ian Anderson
Curious, have you tried the Skip Morris version? It’s a bit more complicated with the rubber legs that exit the foam body through the year. I’m up for a challenge, but I’m curious if it makes that much of a difference. My guess is not.
I have not tried tying his version, rather his latest version. A number of years ago there was a video out (I think Skip produced it) on tying the Predator but he put it together differently. Mostly, the rear legs did not come out through the foam. Then a couple of years ago he did the updated video which has the legs through the foam. Not that one is particularly better than the other however, the Predator was originally tied as a dragonfly nymph and was fished subsurface. Chris Helm's popularized it as a topwater panfish fly. I have a couple friends who have tied it the way Skip does and they have commented that the fly works just as well without passing the legs through the foam. I think it comes down to which you prefer and enjoy tying. The fish just enjoy eating it. Thanks for the question. - Ian Anderson
Awesome video
Thank you, glad you like it. It is an awesome fly! - Ian Anderson
Hey there, superb pattern I’ve tied this one this week it’s great.
My question is, when applying the head cement I find it hard to apply a precise layer.
In this video you use what looks like a syringe type of unit, what would that be please it’s more precise than what I currently use which is a long needle point dipped in the bottle. 🤙
By the way, thanks for the compliment. I am glad you like the video. - Ian Anderson
You need to update the parts lists sources. I can't find these things in Amazon. Like the FL orange legs, only orange, the 2mm craft foam is 18mm,
Thanks for the information. That is the downside to providing links to the products used in the flies. It can be available when you publish the video and not available at some point in the future. Head over to Mad River Outfitters (www.madriveroutfitters.com). They have both the Fl. Orange legs and the Chartreuse 2mm foam in stock (at this time). - Ian Anderson
Will bead chain eyes work on this one?
Glen, you certainly could substitute beadchain, however since they are heavier (not by much) they might have a tendency to make the head of the fly dip below the surface of the water. Which can possibly help the pattern. You never know until you try. Thanks for the question. - Ian Anderson
@@DressedIrons thanks for getting back to me. I'm recently retired and looking for alternative materials.
Glad too, that is a good question. If you want to stick with the monofilament and not add the weight of the beadchain eyes do a search on TH-cam on making your own mono eyes. It is an easy process with a lighters, some old mono fishing line and some nail polish. Let me know how they turn out. - Ian Anderson
All of utube now have the verbal tick of "goahead". What prey tell does that mean? Goahead do you even know?
Not certain what you mean. Where specifically in this video? - Ian Anderson