Here's an articulated baitfish pattern using the new articulated shanks from Flymen Fishing Company. When using these shanks to tie "trailer hook" style articulated flies, like the one I'm about to show you, it is important that you use a straight eye hook with a large enough eye. Frustration from not being able to find such a hook, and being at least 30-45 minutes away from a flyshop, led me to my local Dick's Sporting Goods one evening to find one that would work in a pinch. Anyone who is familiar with some of the flies tied by Jim Misiura knows that all kinds of hooks meant for spin fishing work great for fly tying. So it was with this "think outside the box" mentality, and a sample shank to test fit, I made my way into the hook isle. I ended up purchasing a pack of the "Flippin" hooks from VMC and so far so good. These hooks do require slight modification however. They come with a plastic bait keeper molded around the shank which must be removed. A pair of pliers or hemostats makes quick work of breaking it off. Just grip the plastic with the pliers and twist the hook being careful to not bend the shank. Once it's removed there is also a small barb used to keep the plastic on that must be mashed down. Happy tying!
REAR PORTION:
Hook: VMC "Flippin" hook sz. 1/0
Thread: White Uni 6/0
Tail: Grey Zonker strip
Body: Pear Estaz
Hackle: White Schlappen
Palmer the Schlappen through the body making sure to get a few turns of the fluffier fibers, at the base of the feather, up front.
FRONT PORTION:
35mm Articulated Shank
Thread: White Uni 6/0
Body: Pearl Estaz
Hackle: White Schlappen
Wing: Grey Zonker Strip
Eyes: Lead Dumbell
Head: Grey Senyo's Laser Dub
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