Hairy Fodder
- This topic has 20 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated Aug 12, 2008 at 2:15 am by
Neal Osborn.
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Aug 4, 2008 at 10:22 pm #6433
Neal Osborn
MemberTim,
Here are a few pics of the Hairy Fodder fly I discussed earlier on another thread. This is a great fly and soon becoming one of my favorites. Full credit goes to Craig Reindeau http://www.warmfly.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=460.0. I met Craig at the shallow water expo in Atlanta earlier this year and then again at the SE FFF conclave. Great guy and very helpful if need assistance.
The fodder fly employs a 60 degree jig hook which is a bit different but very successful. It rides hook point up and avoid snags.
Aug 4, 2008 at 11:44 pm #56230Aaron Otto
MemberThanks Neal, looks like a great bug. A
Aug 5, 2008 at 3:13 am #56231Neal Osborn
MemberHere are a few more Fodders I tied up for the carp fly swap. Added here for completeness of the thread.
Three wise men.

Crawfish Fodder, size 6.
Aug 5, 2008 at 4:49 am #56232
Tim AngeliMemberThanks Neal!
Aug 5, 2008 at 11:02 am #56233Neal Osborn
MemberTim, how are you tying the heads?
Aug 5, 2008 at 1:02 pm #56234
Tim AngeliMemberI’ve just been using regular dumbell eyes, and I haven’t been using the 60 degree jig hook either because I don’t have any.
Aug 5, 2008 at 1:06 pm #56235
Tim AngeliMemberNeal,
I’ll try to post some pictures tonight.
Thanks,
TimAug 5, 2008 at 1:51 pm #56236Neal Osborn
Member60 degree hooks – use Eagle Claw 410 (freshwater) or 413 (saltwater).
Aug 5, 2008 at 2:40 pm #56237
Tim AngeliMemberI’ll have to place an order.
Aug 5, 2008 at 3:21 pm #56238dusty montgomery
MemberNeal,
Is all the fur you are using cross-cut? If so, where are you getting cross-cut in those colors? Can you also elaborate on the rubber piece that holds the eyes, i.e. where to buy it or from what other material you made it.Thanks Neal,
DustyAug 6, 2008 at 12:00 am #56239
Tim AngeliMemberNeal,
Here is a quick picture of one of the Hairy Fodders that I tied up.
Aug 7, 2008 at 5:04 am #56240Neal Osborn
MemberTim, that is a good first attempt at the fodder fly. A couple of comments . . . avoid wrapping the rabbit strip in front of the eyes b/c that will create a whole different profile underwater. You want to wrap the crosscut strip in even wraps until you get behind the eye and then take one extra wrap/turn to give a “liitle” extra bulk and then tie off. Also, it is best to use mono tying thread for this fly. Hint, coat the shank with superglue before you start wrapping, it’s kind of an important salient feature of the fly and keeps the fur from slipping over time. Finally, you need to tie in two different lengths of legs, one group longer than the other – this creates the tapered body profile underwater. If all the legs are the same length, the fly just looks tubular and thus less alive.
Aug 7, 2008 at 5:11 am #56241Neal Osborn
MemberDusty . . . I buy my crosscut rabbit strips at the local fly shop or online. Bearsden http://bearsden.com/page106.html has some of the best selection of fur available on the internet IMHO. LOTS of colors and specialty stuff, shop around and have fun. They have a great selection of two-toned rabbit strips that are crosscut and these are what you see in the pictures above that give that “multi-colored” look to the fodder flies.
You can get some really cool outcomes with the two toned natural colored strips.

The rubber head tubing is a specialty product that Craig has developed. It is my understanding that he is trying to market the material but I have no details as of yet. He gave me a bunch to play with so I’m set for now. Sorry, lame answer I know. Email him if you have any questions about how to get some. Hopefully he will have a manuscript out soon with full details.
Aug 7, 2008 at 6:24 am #56242Michael Exl
MemberNeal,
The you just posted is the best color combination I have seen so far. That one would be perfect for carp.-Mike
Aug 7, 2008 at 11:19 am #56243Neal Osborn
MemberThanks Mike.
Aug 7, 2008 at 2:12 pm #56244dusty montgomery
MemberThanks for the info Neal! I have used Bear’s Den before; I’ll take a look next time I make an order.
D.Aug 10, 2008 at 4:24 pm #56245
Tim AngeliMemberThanks for the suggestions Neal.
Aug 11, 2008 at 9:07 pm #56246dusty montgomery
MemberNeal,
in some of those pics the hook, near the eye, looks to have a 45 degree bend and in others it looks to have a 90 degree bend. Do you think it matters which hook is used? I bought some eagle claw jig hooks this weekend, and they all have 90 degree bends.
D.Aug 11, 2008 at 9:15 pm #56247Neal Osborn
MemberDusty, the hooks are Eagle Claw 410-413 (fresh-salt respectively). They are 60 degree hooks. See link below. It actually does make a difference which degree you use. The 90 degree hooks are more traditional jig hooks for weighted lures and will not give the same movement underwater as the 60 degree hooks.
Order a few and experiment – they are dirt cheap and come in 100.
Aug 11, 2008 at 9:27 pm #56248dusty montgomery
MemberThanks Neal. I’ll return what I got and get some of these. You got 5 sizes: 1/0, 1, 2, 4, & 6?
Dusty -
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