I have been using Sakuma Manta’s for a while now in pike fishing and I realised that Partridge Predator X hooks looks a lot the same as Sakuma’s. I decided to compare the hooks and here is the result
Sakuma Manta 540 size 5/0 matches 100% with the Partridge Predator X size 4/0.
Only difference is the wire gauge. Partridge Predator X has a bit heavier wire.
Sakuma has another Manta hook model 545 Extra Manta which has heavier wire as well. I bet that the Sakuma Manta 545 Extra is 100% same hook as Partridge Predator X.
Today I decided to test some new materials for pike flies. It is time to tie some flies for upcoming pike season. I have used two new materials on this yellow and red ultimate pike teaser fly. On the tails section I used some gradient coloured fibre.
On the top wing I have used material called Nordic Pike Fibre. Nordic Pike Fibre is quite asy to tie and it gives slick look on the fly. Fibre is quite straight and not curly like Body Fibre and Slinky Fibre.
On the head I have used Bug-Bond with 3D eyes to give some realistic feel.
Today I decided to try a new material with caddis pupas. It is suede like flat yarn which you can use with pupas. It is very easy to use and you can use it like chenille yarn. So far I have used Wapsi’s Ultra Chenille with caddis pupas but I think after this experiment it is time to start using Supa Suede. The body of the pupa looks realistic when using Supa Suede. Here is one result of my experiments…..and as always, very easy to tie 🙂
Hook is Kamasan B100 size #10. Body is light olive Supa Suede. Back is dark brown turkey tail herls. Thorax is Wapsi’s squirrel dubbing which is the best dubbing available ! 🙂 Feelers are ringneck pheasants tail herls. Also a one twist of partridge feather as a touch up.
Morten Bundgaard is a skilled fly tyer and also he is owner of Pro Solutions. Pro Solutions manufactures a variety of great and easy to use fly tying products. Especially they have a great tube fly system “Pro Tube System“.
The basic idea of the “Pro Tube System” is that they have ready made pre-cut tube fly tubes with matching cone heads and other accessories which fits to the tube perfectly. The quality of the cone heads is impressive. All cone heads have exactly same size and they fit to the Pro Tube like a glove.
Here is a very nice tie from DeadDrift blog guys. Easy, fast and realistic fly…I like it. This fly will definitely have some play time during autumn fishing. I have never used thes kind of flies but not it is time to try some new things. Fly is tied by Vytautas.
Almost every salmon fly fisher has Sunray Shadow type flies in their fly boxes. If you don’t have, you definitely should get a few and try fishing with Sunrays. Why?…you ask. Because it so much fun! When the salmon takes the fly you will wet your pants 🙂 Usually salmon takes the fly very hard an you will notice it for sure.
The history behind this method is a bit unclear, at least for me. Story tells that the technique is originated in Scotland back in times when English Lords were fishing the rivers wearing tweed jackets. These Lords gave their old and worn out salmon flies to local fishermen. Of course these fishermen couldn’t use these flies the normal way because the gut eye was worn out. So they used a hitch knot for attaching the fly to the leader, hence the name. This method caused the fly to rise up to the surface and creating the “V” shaped wake.
Nowadays salmon fly fishers are using hitch flies tied on tubes. There are several hitch tube patterns available but here is an example how nice it is to use Sunray Shadows as a hitch tubes.
Here is the pattern:
Tube:Plastic tube you can use different colors if you wish. Basic color is clear.
Tube length: from 1/2″ to 2″ depending on the wing length
Underwing: Bucktail, choose the color you like: white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, etc….
After you have tied the fly, make a hole on the side of the fly’s head.
When you are using the fly, you just need to thread the leader tip through the small hole and tie the hook in place. When fishing with the fly you need to cast the fly line on a 45 degree angle downstream and make sure that the fly makes “V” shape wake. Usually you need to pull the slack off the line before the fly starts to wake. The fly cannot wake too fast. The salmons will manage to catch it if they want. BUT if the current is too slow it is hard to get the fly to make the “V” shape wake. There needs to be at least moderate current for using this fly.
Hitching with Sunray Shadows is quite effective and a fun way to catch salmons. I hope you have found this post informative and useful for your salmon fishing. In case you don’t want to tie hitch Sunrays yourself, you can buy them here as well.
Link to the full resolution image.
Nordic Angler 