Stripping monster streamers for big trout is an increasingly popular game, but some of those articulated concoctions are unwieldy to cast, especially after they get wet. But Mike Schmidt‘s Junk Yard Dog is an exception. Although the pattern is both articulated and bulky-looking, when you pick one up, you can’t help but be amazed by how light it is. Once it’s in the water, the fly pulsates enticingly and moves enough water to attract big, predatory fish looking for a hearty meal.
In this exclusive video made especially for Orvis, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions offers his take on this proven pattern. As you can see from the recipe below, there are quite a few steps involved, but Flagler makes most of them seem quite easy. The ways that he prepares the materials before putting them on the hook is where his true genius lies. If you are one of those tiers, like me, who sometimes struggles to control slippery materials, you’ll learn some great techniques here. And don’t scrimp on the adhesive!
Junk Yard Dog
Rear hook: Gamakatsu SP-11-3L3H, size 1.
Rear thread: Brown, 140-denier or 6/0.
Rear tail: Tan marabou.
Rear body: Copper Olive UV Polar Chenille.
Rear veil: Tan marabou.
Rear collar: Tan arctic-fox zonker strip.
Adhesive 1: Thin UV Cure Resin.
Hook connection: 1-3/8′ articulated shank.
Connection thread: Brown, 140-denier or 6/0.
Adhesive 2: Thin UV Cure Resin.
Front hook: Gamakatsu B10S, size 2/0.
Front thread: Brown, 140-denier or 6/0.
Adhesive 3: Thin UV Cure Resin.
Front tail: Tan marabou.
Front collar: Tan and dark-brown arctic-fox zonker strips.
Front body: Dark Tan Senyo’s Laser Dub.
Head: Fish Mask, size 7.
Adhesive 4: Thicker UV Cure Resin.
Eyes: Ice Living Eyes, 7.0 mm.
Adhesive 5: Thin UV Cure Resin.
Adhesive 6: Sally Hansen Dries Instantly.
Tools: UV torch.
I love these Tightline tying videos!! Here’s a link to a great trailing streamer to fish in tandem with bigger patterns like the Junk Yard Dog. Think of it as the little yippy dog that follows around the big bull dog in the old Sylvester and Tweety Bird cartoons. Just like those little guys, this little guy gets the job done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UTfS757hxc
Thanks for the video! Heard Tom talk about it on the podcast first.
I fished it yesterday for smallmouth on the lower Delaware. It’s swims beautifully, but Ive never thrown something that big and I’m not sure how to really fish it in fast water. I don’t think it was particularly lifelike on the swing, and then retrieving it slowly it skimedthe surface.
Could someone share some advice?
Thanks again
Michael,
I don’t know what kind of equipment your using, but you’ll need a sink tip fly line to get the fly down. You can also use a custom lead or tungsten loop section on the end of your fly line. Look up “Airflo custom sink tip” or “Rio custom sink tip” and you’ll find what you need.