Another FOTM concept - the Serendipity

[alanb_ct]

Here's another suggestion for future use. I finally conquered the tying methods for the serendipidity this weekend. I've been using this fly successfully on the Hous the past few years, but have bought them all so far. This is a great fly, and tying style since the segmentation comes for free without a rib. The key to my success is brushing and splitting the z-lon. My little LaFontaine comb does wonders with the combing. I use my hackle pliers to grab and spin the z-lon. I tied them on a 2457, size 18, in olive-brown z-lon. This fly is another great alternative to the WD-40.

For future reference: let me know if you want this fly. I can produce it as a webcam video in about 3 hours. It's also much easier than the Copper John!

-Alain

[AaronJasper]

I know this is way off but for next September that would be a great FOTM. That fly is a number one producer in October. We could meet up at HRO and I could video it if you would like.

BTW the copper john would be like a 15 minute video after all of the instructions!!!!

[alanb_ct]

OK, that sounds good. Justin - please put this fly in the long-range plans for September 2008, thanks.

[Nymphmeister]

I'm prob gonna do that fly pattern in one of my free Saturday fly tying classes at HRO this Winter. It's certainly been a killer pattern in many different places for me. My fav is a #16 in brown, but I use other sizes & colors too. Have to try the olive-brown version, haven't used it yet.

[Troutbum from Griswold]

What do you use for you bodies Torrey?

[Nymphmeister]

Twisted Zelon, just make sure you don't use to thick of a strand. BTW, we got an order of Zelon in the other day if you need some.

[alanb_ct]

Save some for me! It's such a versatile material, I also use it for tailing my emerger style flies (sparkle duns).

For size 18, I have been dividing the zelon strand in half after combing straight. For size 22, I divide the strand in thirds. I think regular Antron or Darlon would work too. LaFontaine's discussion of synthetic (tri-lobal?) materials is really interesting in "Caddisflies."

[Nymphmeister]

I cannot tell you if there is truly a difference between the 3 materials in terms of effectiveness, I've always tied them with Zelon. Blue Ribbon Flies wrote a piece and they swore that Zelon was different & superior, and it may be, but I take it with a large grain of salt because they are big promoters & sellers of the product. Other than Umpqua/Metz, they are the only other source of it. BTW, Umpqua is finally producing it in amber, it's about time.