Can't thank you enough for showing me this pattern. I was really wanting a pattern that was similar to a zuddler but without the deer hair and this pattern was perfect. Once I bought the pine squirrel "Zonked" skin (which is an absolutely beautiful material), It was easy to tie and uses few materials and is a fast tie. I tied it over the winter and broke it out this season for the first time. It caught me a 20 incher yesterday, it really lived up to its reputation for busting my slump and catching big fish.
I thought that the large cone was too big for a size 8 hook, so I bought and used medium cone heads. Now I know why Tim used a large cone head: it is easier to stuff the tag end of the wound squirrel strip into a large cone head. I had to use my dubbing needle to stuff the tag into the medium cone head, but it turned out well. I prefer the look of the medium cone head, but do I think the trout prefer the medium one instead of the large? No! Thanks for uploading this video, Tim. I always go your channel first when I want to learn a new fly.
I haven't personally, but I understand a lot of people do and it works exceptionally well. If you want to go larger, maybe think about using rabbit zonker strips rather than the pine squirrel.
Awesome videos! I always look forward to the new ones. I have a question though regarding your choice in the size of the cone head. According to most of the cone head size charts I've seen, "large" cone heads are way too big for a size 8 hook. But I understand that a given size chart is not applicable for all brands of cone head & hook combinations. Did you intentionally use an over sized cone head for a particular reason? Or is that actually the "right" size cone head in that brand to fit the Dai-Riki 700 size 8 hook? Thanks!
You're right, there really is no standard sizing for coneheads, each manufacturer seems to have their own classification. I think the cone in the video is about right for that hook size and for this particular pattern, but to each his own. To me, Slumpbusters probably best represent sculpins which have whopper noggins. Hope this helps, glad you like the videos, thanks for watching.
I tied a few myself with zonker strips in olive, grey and, brown colors. It looks great and worked well. I used it to bass fish in texas and caught quite a few. I would even say it worked better than my wooly buggers.
I wish I could find pine squirrel zonked like that. Packages only contain two strips which I find expensive. I see you use them and other tiers. I have not seen them in the shop I have available. Can you suggest a store for purchase? All the best, Sean
My local shop, Shannon's Fly and Tackle carries pine zonked squirrel skins (or can get them quickly). Any body that carries Wapsi materials should have them. Someone also recently emailed and suggested zonked mink.
tightlinevideo I use rabbit and it works really well. Seems to have even more action on the water compared to the squirrel. Slayed them on it the other day in the gorge.
Beautiful tie Tim! Love this streamer!
Can't thank you enough for showing me this pattern. I was really wanting a pattern that was similar to a zuddler but without the deer hair and this pattern was perfect. Once I bought the pine squirrel "Zonked" skin (which is an absolutely beautiful material), It was easy to tie and uses few materials and is a fast tie. I tied it over the winter and broke it out this season for the first time. It caught me a 20 incher yesterday, it really lived up to its reputation for busting my slump and catching big fish.
I thought that the large cone was too big for a size 8 hook, so I bought and used medium cone heads. Now I know why Tim used a large cone head: it is easier to stuff the tag end of the wound squirrel strip into a large cone head. I had to use my dubbing needle to stuff the tag into the medium cone head, but it turned out well. I prefer the look of the medium cone head, but do I think the trout prefer the medium one instead of the large? No!
Thanks for uploading this video, Tim. I always go your channel first when I want to learn a new fly.
I always look forward to your videos. I have had considerable luck on Slumpbuster's.
Thank you for sharing. Now I have another fly to try.
Great video! Thanks. Gonna try this for winter steelies! :-)
Tied some in black for local loch in black... bloody hell. Hook ups not consistent but takes real savage when retrieved at pace.
Methinks I'll have to add this to my arsenal. Thanks!
I know your busy and get endless request, but a daves hopper video would be stellar thanks
You always do a good video, very descriptive. Thanks.
Great job.
Nicely Done.
Great fly. Do you ever split the tail.
Lewis
Lewis McGregor I haven’t tied this my self, but in theory I think it would work
This looks like an awesome pattern! I am just wondering if rabbit zonkers would be a suitable substitute for pine squirrel.
For larger sized flies yes. With smaller flies, the rabbit fur is usually just too long.
Very detailed
As always amazing....
You ever use this for bass? I'd imagine it would slay them, gonna tie some up this week!
I haven't personally, but I understand a lot of people do and it works exceptionally well. If you want to go larger, maybe think about using rabbit zonker strips rather than the pine squirrel.
Awesome videos! I always look forward to the new ones. I have a question though regarding your choice in the size of the cone head. According to most of the cone head size charts I've seen, "large" cone heads are way too big for a size 8 hook. But I understand that a given size chart is not applicable for all brands of cone head & hook combinations.
Did you intentionally use an over sized cone head for a particular reason? Or is that actually the "right" size cone head in that brand to fit the Dai-Riki 700 size 8 hook?
Thanks!
You're right, there really is no standard sizing for coneheads, each manufacturer seems to have their own classification. I think the cone in the video is about right for that hook size and for this particular pattern, but to each his own. To me, Slumpbusters probably best represent sculpins which have whopper noggins. Hope this helps, glad you like the videos, thanks for watching.
I dead drift these with an egg pattern for steelhead but could you do a blue wing olive quill body tutorial??
Drew Daniels you use this as the top fly or anchor with your egg? steelhead likey?
Crystal Snyder I use it as the top fly but typically use a jig hook
That's cool..I'll give that a try this weekend. Thanks for the reply. Hope you're having good fishing season!
Crystal Snyder thanks! Hope the same for you, tight lines
would olive zonked rabbit work also?
tied some myself with zonked strips. looks great and doesn't look much different from the video. Going to try it on bass down here in Texas.
I tied a few myself with zonker strips in olive, grey and, brown colors. It looks great and worked well. I used it to bass fish in texas and caught quite a few. I would even say it worked better than my wooly buggers.
TheStigsCuz just curious..work on bass?
I wish I could find pine squirrel zonked like that. Packages only contain two strips which I find expensive. I see you use them and other tiers. I have not seen them in the shop I have available. Can you suggest a store for purchase? All the best, Sean
My local shop, Shannon's Fly and Tackle carries pine zonked squirrel skins (or can get them quickly). Any body that carries Wapsi materials should have them. Someone also recently emailed and suggested zonked mink.
tightlinevideo I use rabbit and it works really well. Seems to have even more action on the water compared to the squirrel. Slayed them on it the other day in the gorge.
this thing looks mean and green