Snail – Chatto’s version

 

Snails are a food source for trout throughout the year. Having said that they are often overlooked by fly fishers. In colours imitating the naturals in the area to be fished they can be slowly twitched along the bottom or around the weed beds with great results. They are also a good ambush fly for trout foraging the margins. My standard choice of colours is a mottled brown and dark olive.

Materials

 

Hook Thread Scud back Weight Rib Body
Caddis hook To suit Tan or Olive Lead wire Fine copper wire Seals fur

Process

 

A
  1. Wind the thread in touching turns to the bend of the hook.
  2. Tie in a length of fine copper wire.
  3. Tie in a length of scud back.

 

B
  1. Wind some lead wire in the middle of the hook shank. I generally fins that 7 or 8 wraps of .010 lead wire is sufficient for a size #14 snail.

 

C
  1. Using the single strand technique dub on an acorn shaped body of seals fur.

 

D
  1. Pull the scud back over the top of the fly and secure it in place with a couple of wraps of thread.
  2. Wrap the wire forward forming just 3 or 4 segments.
  3. Secure the wire in place behind the eye of the hook with a couple of wraps of thread.
  4. Worry the excess wire off.
  5. Trim the excess scud back.
  6. Using a bit of Velcro pick out a few seals fur fibres.
  7. Build up a neat head and whip finish the fly.
  8. Varnish the head and the scud back.

 



Last Updated: January 28, 2011
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Categories: Flies, Midge pupa, grubs & snails, My "trout" nymph fly box, My 'trout' river wet fly box
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