SLF 3D MINNOW

Hook:

Gamakatsu SL12S or Mustad “Tarpon”

Thread:

white flat waxed

Materials:
Tail - SLF
Body - dubbing brush of SLF
Head - contrasting colour SLF
Eyes - 3D Prismatic
Finish - silicone over head up to back of eyes.
Rattle - optional
Weight - if desired, the addition of a few wraps of .030 lead be hind the hook eye will give a head first sink

Instructions:

1. Secure rattle in clear heat shrink and attach over the hook point and wrap back to the bend.

2. Cut SLF from hank, double and cut in half. Use a fine comb to remove short lengths and untangle the fibres.

3. Hand stack to taper the ends. Secure over the hook point with three wraps of thread. Use thumb nail to distribute materials evenly around hook shank. Wrap back to the bend.

4. Form a dubbing loop and move thread up to hook eye.

5. Make the dubbing brush by cutting some SLF into 3cm lengths. Place the lengths into the loop so that it is evenly spread and laying at right angles across the loop. Spin the loop to make the brush.

6. Form the body by winding the brush forward, using close wraps so that the hook shank is covered from the bend to one hook eye width behind the eye. Tie off and trim excess.

7. Use a comb to straighten the fibres by gently combing to the rear.

8. Take some contrasting colour SLF and cut to twice the length of the hook shank. Taper by pulling some of the fibres out slightly from both ends.

9. Attach the middle of the bunch behind the hook eye with three wraps of thread. Distribute material evenly around hook shank with thumb nail.

10. Double the front half of the material back over itself, distribute evenly and finish with a few wraps of thread to secure and form a small tapered head. Whip finish and apply a drop of head cement to secure.

11. Comb to straighten and blend materials.

12. Attach eyes and use silicone to coat the head up to the back of the eyes. A light coat of “hard as nails” over the silicone will help prevent the flies sticking together in hot weather.

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