Secure the thread, cut the tag end and wrap somewhere in the center of the shank.
Step 2.
Tie in the chenille and wind up ¾ the length of the hook shank. . The rest will be for the wing and the wool head.
Step 3.
Trim off the excess.
Step 4.
Prep the icelandic sheep. What I mean by that is pull out any excess bulk in the hair. This is usually found on the but ends you cut off. Also pull out the tips that look longer then the rest of the majority of the (even) hair. Tie it down with a few wraps to secure it. This process will kind of be like stacking, but not on top, side to side with the next batch next to each other. You trying to create a 45 degree angle once all the colors are tied in.
Step 5.
Tie in the pink the same way and don’t forget to prep it. This one will be tied in to the side of the white, once you’ve made a few wraps, you will tie back on it and tie it down a little on the white.
Step 6.
Close up.
Step 7.
Now tie in the polar flash. I like this material because it really blends in with soft material. Always think about that when working with soft verses synthetic.
Step 8.
You’ll go a little more material for the back of the wing. This will be the separation from the two by adding more, also the dominant color is usually the back (top) of the baitfish. Repeat the same process as step 4 and 5.
Step 9.
Close up. Showing you the stack “angle” program. This is where you’ll tie in the wool. Who says you need a flat foundation for wool. Because it soft, it doesn’t need a smooth foundation. I wouldn’t do this with deer hair though.
Step 10.
Now we will tie in two clumps of each color to form the head. To understand more clearly on how to do this technique check out this frog. It will explain in more detail.
Step 11.
You’re going to trim this to be skinny in profile. This will help how it performs in the water, streamline.
Step 12.
This is how the baitfish should look after completing. It might take a few ties to get this down. Tying the correct amount of wool will be crucial on how the head turns out. One thing I can say, pay attention to getting the wool around the whole hook shank or you will see the side of the hook shank after cutting it thin on each side. Once tied down you can pull it around the shank, then pull back and tie in front of it.
Side profile.
Step 14.
Don’t glue the eyes on just yet. Lay it flat and get a marker to create the spots. It helps not to have the eyes when doing this, especially when doing the front part.
Step 15.
Now glue the eyes with goop. I like marine goop. But they will both do the job.
Here’s another version of the pattern, a brown trouty.
