Proven top water sea-run cutthroat patterns

R

roger stephens

Steelhead


I have been using top water patterns for over 20 years when fishing for sea-run cutthroat. Since 2008 over 90 % of the time I have used top water patterns when fishing for sea-run cutthroat. During this period, I have developed 4 top water patterns which have worked exceptionally well. All of these patterns are tied as tube flies since it is possible to use small light weight tube material(micro) and small light weight Gamakatsu hooks(SC-15 #6). IMHO tube patterns are as easy or easier to tie than shank hook flies. I will post the other 3 patterns tomorrow.

Top water sand lance pattern

1st picture shows the pattern with a small round cylinder foam head while 2nd picture uses a foam pencil head and 3rd picture shows a 22 1/2inch sea-run cutthroat(approximately 4 lbs.) which was landed using the pattern shown in 1st picture. It was the largest sea-run cutthroat that I have ever landed. It probably took over 10 minutes to land it in pretty strong tidal current using a 6 weight rod. I had to pull the anchor on my boat and chase it down for about 1/4 mile. The strike was like a toilet flush. Over about 2 1/2 hours I landed approximately 10 fish that ranged from 17 to 22 1/2 inches. Even though it was about 14 years ago I can still vividly remember that day.

This pattern can easily be tied in 4 minutes since it is so simple. The hookup ratio with this fly is normally 30 % or better. This fly is effective from late May through late November with September and November being the best months. Other times of the year sand lance are not readily available. I tie the pattern from 2 inches(spring) to 3 1/2 inches(fall). I tie the pattern all white all the way around since the sea-run cutthroat will always see the white under belly no matter how the pattern is turned when it is skated. The long foam head and body causes the pattern to move about 1/2 inches from side to side like the swimming action of actual sand lance. The pause in the retrieve causes the pattern to go a little sideways when tidal current pushes it.

Roger
 

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roger stephens said:

I have been using top water patterns for over 20 years when fishing for sea-run cutthroat. Since 2008 over 90 % of the time I have used top water patterns when fishing for sea-run cutthroat. During this period, I have developed 4 top water patterns which have worked exceptionally well. All of these patterns are tied as tube flies since it is possible to use small light weight tube material(micro) and small light weight Gamakatsu hooks(SC-15 #6). IMHO tube patterns are as easy or easier to tie than shank hook flies. I will post the other 3 patterns tomorrow.

Top water sand lance pattern

1st picture shows the pattern with a small round cylinder foam head while 2nd picture uses a foam pencil head and 3rd picture shows a 22 1/2inch sea-run cutthroat(approximately 4 lbs.) which was landed using the pattern shown in 1st picture. It was the largest sea-run cutthroat that I have ever landed. It probably took over 10 minutes to land it in pretty strong tidal current using a 6 weight rod. I had to pull the anchor on my boat and chase it down for about 1/4 mile. The strike was like a toilet flush. Over about 2 1/2 hours I landed approximately 10 fish that ranged from 17 to 22 1/2 inches. Even though it was about 14 years ago I can still vividly remember that day.

This pattern can easily be tied in 4 minutes since it is so simple. The hookup ratio with this fly is normally 30 % or better. This fly is effective from late May through late November with September and November being the best months. Other times of the year sand lance are not readily available. I tie the pattern from 2 inches(spring) to 3 1/2 inches(fall). I tie the pattern all white all the way around since the sea-run cutthroat will always see the white under belly no matter how the pattern is turned when it is skated. The long foam head and body causes the pattern to move about 1/2 inches from side to side like the swimming action of actual sand lance. The pause in the retrieve causes the pattern to go a little sideways when tidal current pushes it.

Roger
Click to expand...
I am very new to tying tube flies and have a question. Your first fly seems to show a trailing stinger hook. How do you keep that hook separated from the tube (i.e., why doesn't the hook end up pulled tight against the back of the tube)? Do you put beads between the tube and the stinger hook to keep them apart? Thanks!
 
Zak said:
I am very new to tying tube flies and have a question. Your first fly seems to show a trailing stinger hook. How do you keep that hook separated from the tube (i.e., why doesn't the hook end up pulled tight against the back of the tube)? Do you put beads between the tube and the stinger hook to keep them apart? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Good question and eyes! I put a 1/4 inch hook holder sleeve cut from HMH(see picture) onto end of MHM micro tubing. The sleeve holds the hook as it is pushed against the tubing. Sleeve material can also be purchased at most model stores and is the gas line for model engines.

Roger
 

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roger stephens said:
Good question and eyes! I put a 1/4 inch hook holder sleeve cut from HMH(see picture) onto end of MHM micro tubing. The sleeve holds the hook as it is pushed against the tubing. Sleeve material can also be purchased at most model stores and is the gas line for model engines.

Roger
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
roger stephens said:

I have been using top water patterns for over 20 years when fishing for sea-run cutthroat. Since 2008 over 90 % of the time I have used top water patterns when fishing for sea-run cutthroat. During this period, I have developed 4 top water patterns which have worked exceptionally well. All of these patterns are tied as tube flies since it is possible to use small light weight tube material(micro) and small light weight Gamakatsu hooks(SC-15 #6). IMHO tube patterns are as easy or easier to tie than shank hook flies. I will post the other 3 patterns tomorrow.

Top water sand lance pattern

1st picture shows the pattern with a small round cylinder foam head while 2nd picture uses a foam pencil head and 3rd picture shows a 22 1/2inch sea-run cutthroat(approximately 4 lbs.) which was landed using the pattern shown in 1st picture. It was the largest sea-run cutthroat that I have ever landed. It probably took over 10 minutes to land it in pretty strong tidal current using a 6 weight rod. I had to pull the anchor on my boat and chase it down for about 1/4 mile. The strike was like a toilet flush. Over about 2 1/2 hours I landed approximately 10 fish that ranged from 17 to 22 1/2 inches. Even though it was about 14 years ago I can still vividly remember that day.

This pattern can easily be tied in 4 minutes since it is so simple. The hookup ratio with this fly is normally 30 % or better. This fly is effective from late May through late November with September and November being the best months. Other times of the year sand lance are not readily available. I tie the pattern from 2 inches(spring) to 3 1/2 inches(fall). I tie the pattern all white all the way around since the sea-run cutthroat will always see the white under belly no matter how the pattern is turned when it is skated. The long foam head and body causes the pattern to move about 1/2 inches from side to side like the swimming action of actual sand lance. The pause in the retrieve causes the pattern to go a little sideways when tidal current pushes it.

Roger
Click to expand...
That's a pig, I got one that size in the river one time about 30 yrs ago.
 
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