SYNTHETIC BROOKES' BLONDE

Original pattern by Joe Brookes

This is an adaptation of the original pattern that traditionally uses natural materials such bucktail or calf tail. It has proved successful for tuna as well as many other species feeding on small baitfish.

Hook:
#2 to 2/0 Gamakatsu SL12S or SS15S or Mustad Tarpon

Thread:
white flat waxed

Materials:
Gill Colour - red SLF
Tail - Pearl DNA
Bodywrap - pearl or silver Lateral Scale
Wing - smoke DNA
Head - Built up thread
Eyes - Silver /black prismatic

Instructions:
1. Lay down a base of thread from the hook eye to the bend and finish with the thread behind the eye.

2. Select a clump of pearl tail material, hand taper and cut to twice the length of the hook shank. Tie in behind hook eye and wrap back to the hook- bend.

3. Tie in body wrap at the hook bend and transfer thread back to hook eye.

4. Using close wraps but not overlapping, wrap body material around shank back up to one hookeye distance behind the eye, tie off and trim excess.

5. Apply a light coat of “hard as nails” over the body wrap.

6. Select a small clump of wing material (no longer than bend of hook) and tie in behind the hook eye.

7. Turn the hook over and tie in gill colour. Build up a head of thread, whip finish and apply a small amount of head cement.

8. Before applying the eyes use a pair of pliers and gently squeeze the head to form flat sides.

9. Apply hard as nails to head area only. Take care not to allow it to leech back into the wing material.

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