Bodkin / Patterns

Silversides

Baitfish · Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore · Jack · Snook · Sea Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Gamakatsu SC15 or Tiemco 811S, 1/0-4
  • Thread White or clear mono 8/0 or mono thread

Materials

  • Belly/underwing White craft fur or polar bucktail (1 sparse clump)
  • Lateral line Pearl-silver Flashabou or holo silver Angel Hair (3-4 strands)
  • Back Pale olive-gray craft fur (1 sparse clump)
  • Body (optional) Pearl EZ Body tubing over the wing butts (1 short section)
  • Eyes 1/8 inch molded or stick-on eyes (1 pair)
  • Head UV resin or epoxy (1 coat)

How to tie it

  1. Tie in a sparse white craft fur belly under the shank, extending about two shank lengths past the bend.
  2. Add 3-4 strands of pearl-silver Flashabou along each flank, the bold silver lateral stripe is THE identifying mark of a silverside, so make it deliberate.
  3. Tie a sparse pale olive-gray craft fur back on top, same length.
  4. Optionally slide a short section of pearl EZ Body tubing over the tie-in area and bind it front and rear for a translucent tubular body.
  5. Set molded eyes on the head, silversides have conspicuously large eyes for their size, and coat the head with UV resin.
  6. Keep the whole fly slim: real spearing are pencil-thin, 3-5 inches, and translucent.

Tying videos

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