First attempt with a Slumpbuster

[nick davis]

Ok, so I am new to fly tying and here is my first attempt at a Slumpbuster, please let me know what you think and I am open to any suggestions.

Thanks

[dusty montgomery]

Nick,
That’ll hunt! Although, it does look as though you may have trapped some

[Neal Osborn]

Nick, that is a decent slumpbuster.  A couple of comments – the cone is correctly proportioned, the palmered rabbit strip is might need to be a bit more extended toward the back of the hook, and the wrapped wire caught a few to many rabbit hairs.  

Here is an excellent video on how to palmer a wire through rabbit zonker strips.  It is in Spanish but the technique is the important thing.  Notice how the guys hands are all over the fly and “adjusting” during the wraps.  This is an easy technique as long as you remember to keep adjusting the fly.  (BTW, this is also a great video for learning how to spin wool heads).

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v6371156Z39x3SP7?rank=4&jsonParams=%7B%22numResults%22%3A20%2C%22rlmin%22%3A0%2C%22query%22%3A%22fly+tying%22%2C%22rlmax%22%3Anull%2C%22veohOnly%22%3Atrue%2C%22order%22%3A%22default%22%2C%22range%22%3A%22a%22%2C%22sId%22%3A%228621320317649313792%22%7D&searchId=8621320317649313792&rank=5

[nick davis]

Thanks Neal I see what your saying about the fibers getting caught, and how I need to extend it more towards the back of the hook.

[dusty montgomery]

How are the other attempts coming?

[dusty montgomery]

Neal,
What is the yellow and red material that guy is using in the video you posted-just yarn?
Dusty

[nick davis]

My second and third attempts were better Dusty, but I am still having problems with cementing the fibers down when I am trying to get the knot.

[dusty montgomery]

less wraps of the squirrel.

In Barr’s book, he ties them in olive, white, brown/rust, and natural. You can get all of these colors from BP; I would buy the halfskin. remember to get more sparkle braid for each new bunny color you get.

[nick davis]

Thanks Dusty I will try wraping the squirrel less, and post a picture of one when I am done.

Thanks again

[Neal Osborn]

Nick, the best trick for getting a less bulky head is to use “cross-cut” rabbit zonkers for the head.  Are you familiar with cross-cut?  It is the best for wrapping/spiraling rabbit hair.  I will post a few pictures of my busters and zonkers when I get a chance.  Also, the Hairy-Fodder fly is one of my new favorites (Originated by Craig Reindeau here in Georgia).

[nick davis]

Thanks for the advice Neal, I will try that next time i go to the shop and get materals. Right now im working with zonked Pine Squirrel, and I am having all kinds of trouble with gitting the fibers to lay the right way.

[Neal Osborn]

Nick, I have started a new post to show some flies tied with rabbit zonkers.

[nick davis]

So here is the latest one I have tied, and although it is not the greatest I still think it is the best I have done so far, although I still think I have to much hair around the cone.

[Tim Angeli]

Nick, that’s looking good and will definitely catch fish.

[Neal Osborn]

Nick, that’s looking better.

[nick davis]

Neal thanks for the link to the video, when she showed how she added the cement around the head I was like wow what a great idea. Also I am on board with Tim and yourself that cross cut is the way to go, because the zonked strips are killing me. I will add another picture tonight, and hopefully I have made the right changes.

Nick

[dusty montgomery]

that vid had some good suggestions: gluing the thread to avoid gooping up the fur, and pushing the skin up into the conehead. Good find Neal.
D.

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