Created in partnership with renowned fly tyer and fishing guide Blane Chocklett, the new Chocklett's Articulated Micro-Spine allows fly tyers to take the Game Changer style of fly tying to completely new territory.
The sky is the limit for realistically imitating insects, small baitfish, crustaceans, and other aquatic critters with never-before-possible lifelike movement. The new triangular back-loop design reduces the gap between segments and makes it easier to fit in your fly tying vise jaws.
The system is comprised of 3 different shanks (8mm, 6mm and a 6mm long Tail Shank) which can be connected ("daisy chained") in a limitless number of different combinations to create virtually any highly articulated, small fly you desire.
The three individual shanks in the system can be purchased in individual size packs (25 shanks per pack), but the best way to get started is to buy the Starter Pack which combines all 3 size packs at a discounted price (3 packs x 25 shanks = 75 shanks)
When the very first saltwater SL reels were introduced to the market, they were an instant success. All major guiding operations and their guides, retail stores and the general fly fishing public began talking about a new reel designed and manufactured in South Africa at a very competitive price that was up to the task of handling harsh saltwater environments and tackle busting fish. That was sixteen years ago, and the SL range is still rated among the best.
Featuring a custom-processed cork disc drag, and the same high quality anodizing used for all the Shilton Reel ranges, the SL series quickly became the choice reel for many large guiding operations due to its simple and effective design. Constant use and time in the field is the only real test. Alphonse Fishing Company, Tourette, and Fly Leaders (to name just three) choose Shilton as their reel of choice.
Now available with an incoming and outgoing click, in black and titanium and in sizes SL4 to SL8 for line weights 5/6 to 14/16.
| MODEL | (METRIC) DIAMETER / WEIGHT / LINE WEIGHT / BACKING |
(IMPERIAL) DIAMETER / WEIGHT / LINE WEIGHT / BACKING |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| SL4 | 9.1cm / 200g / 5-6 / WF6 F + 140m 20lbs |
|
|
| SL5 | 9,1cm / 215g / 7-8 / WF7 I + 250m 20lbs | 3.6″ / 7.6 oz. / 7-8 / WF7 I + 275 yd. 20lbs | |
| SL6 | 9,7cm / 230g / 9-10 / WF9 I + 210m 30lbs | 3.8″ / 8.1 oz. / 9-10 / WF9 I + 230 yd. 30lbs | |
| SL7 | 10,9cm / 290g / 12-14 / WF12 S + 350m 30lbs | 4.3″ / 10.2 oz. / 12-14 / WF12 S + 380 yd. 30lbs | |
| SL8 | 12.6cm /418g / 14-16 / WF14 S + 550m 30lbs | 5″ / 14.7 oz. / 14-16 / WF14 S + 600 yd. 30lbs |
Design by Blane Chocklett
The new Finesse Changer is a highly articulated, realistic baitfish streamer perfect for targeting many freshwater and saltwater gamefish species from trout to tarpon.
The Finesse Changer's baitfish profile and natural swimming action make it an ideal choice especially when sight fishing in crystal clear water to larger, more discerning fish.
It has a typical average baitfish length of 3.5" (9cm), consists of 7 Articulated Fish-Spine segments and is available in 8 color variations allowing you to “match the hatch” for success in different fisheries and target species. The fly is tied with an ultra-lightweight, synthetic “Finesse” material that sheds water giving you a fly that is easy to cast and has incredible natural movement in the water.
Natural Swimming Action
The innovative use of special materials realistically mimic the spine and muscle of a baitfish to give it a unique, enticing swimming action.
Realistic Profile
The Finesse Changer is designed with realism in mind, especially for situations in which the fish you're targeting has more of a chance to inspect the fly before choosing to strike.
Versatile Size
The Finesse Changer's average typical baitfish length of 3.5" (9cm) makes it a great general purpose fly that can be used to target a wide variety of species in different fisheries.
Colors
Available in 9 color variations, allowing you to “match the hatch” for success in most fisheries and target species.
Lightweight, Synthetic Materials
Tied with ultra-lightweight, synthetic Chocklett’s Finesse material that sheds water, making this a fly that is very easy to cast and has incredible natural movement in the water.
Durable
The tying method and modern, synthetic materials used give you a tough, durable fly that should stand up to dozens of landed fish.
Q: Why are the flies sometimes not in stock?
A: GC flies are in high demand and they tend to sell out very quickly. These are specialized, custom-tied flies that are technically difficult and time consuming to tie to the correct specifications. As a result, our factory sometimes cannot produce them fast enough and therefore are not always available.
Q: How long will I wait for my flies if I have to Pre-Order?
A: It may take several weeks (or longer) for your order to be delivered. If the flies are not in stock, our system enables you to place a Pre-Order and we will ship to you the moment they become available. Essentially, your order is placed on a waiting list that is fulfilled on a first-in first out basis. We will keep you updated on a regular basis with an estimated delivery date (EDD). As our capacity increases, any lead times should be reduced to a minimum.
Q: How many color variations are there?
A: There are 4 solid colors and 5 species colors to choose from:
Solid colors are white, black, tan and chartreuse.
Species colors are rainbow trout, brown trout, shad, fire tiger and purple & black.
Q: Can I customize the solid colors?
A: Yes, you can easily “customize” any of the solid color flies (such as the white) by using a permanent marker pen to color the body or add spots or stripes to “match the bait-fish hatch."
Q: Is they easy to cast?
A: Yes, the fly is tied with an ultra-lightweight, synthetic “Finesse” material that sheds water giving you a fly that is easy to cast with a 5-weight or higher fly rod.
Q: Can they be used in saltwater?
A: Yes! The flies can be used in both fresh and saltwater. The articulated shanks are made of stainless spring steel and the Kona hooks have a high-quality black-nickel finish.
Q: How many articulated segments does the fly have?
A: Seven segments: the hook + six Articulated Fish-Spine shanks.
Q: What hook does it use?
A: It uses a Kona Big Game Hunter (BGH) 2/0 hook which is an ultra-sharp, high quality, short shank hook designed specifically for Game Changer style flies.
Q: Will you be producing other sizes?
A: Yes, we are planning to produce two larger sizes in future.
Q: How durable are the flies?
A: Very! The precise method the flies are tied, and the high percentage of modern, synthetic materials used in them make for a tough, hardy fly that should stand up to dozens of landed fish.
Co-designed with Blane Chocklett.
Blane Chocklett is one of the fly fishing industry’s most forward-thinking and innovative fly tyers. Essentially a tapered daisy-chain, the Fish-Spine is a series of specifically-designed articulated shanks that allow you to create multi-jointed, highly articulated streamers, such as the revolutionary Blane Chocklett Signature Fly Collection.
To tie your own Game Changer, simply combine the Fish-Spine with Chocklett's Body Wrap and ultra-realistic Fish-Skull® Living Eyes™.
The Tail Shank is the newest addition to the Fish-Skull Articulated Fish-Spine system and is designed to simplify and improve the tail tying process.
We've essentially modified the design of a Fish-Spine shank by removing the rear loop and replacing it with a tag, which is to be used as an easy way for you to place the Tail Shank in your fly tying vise.
Now, rather than having to try the difficult process of tying around the rear loop of a shank or modifying the shank by cutting part of it off, you can easily tie a neater tail with more taper using the Tail Shank.
Quantity per pack: Individual sizes and Tail Shank (24); Starter Pack (6 x 4 sizes = 24)
Ultra-lifelike movement
This method of daisy-chaining a series of articulated shanks allows for a level of realism that was previously impossible.
Highly customizable
Flies of various sizes and styles can be created through different combinations of shank lengths, hooks and materials.
Wrap it up
Game Changers have never been so easy to tie since the release of Chocklett's Body Wrap.
Stainless steel
For use in saltwater streamers.
The concept is simple. A fly is tied in segments. Each segment is tied using one of the 3 or 4 articulated shanks or the hook. Typically, a fly is tied by starting first with the tail segment and once completed, more segments are added on one at a time until you finish at the front of the fly.
To explain in a little more detail, each segment is created by tying the materials onto an articulated shank. Once a segment is tied, the articulated shank is removed from the vise and connected to the loop of the next size of articulated shank. In turn, this new shank is held in the vise and the materials in turn are tied onto that shank. This process continues until the segments of the fly (shanks and hooks) are all connected together. The fly is then trimmed to shape and any final features like eyes or body markings can be added to finish off the fly.
Tying with the Articulated Fish SpineQ: What is a Fish-Spine comprised of?
A: A Fish-Spine is comprised of four specially designed articulated shanks of various lengths i.e. 25mm, 20mm, 15mm and 10mm. These shanks are connected together to form a highly articulated, tapered fish spine.
Q: What hook and shank configurations are possible?
A: The Fish-Spine is highly customizable. Flies of varying sizes can be created by combining different hook sizes/lengths with different shank lengths. This gives you the flexibility to create different patterns to suit your local fishery. Experiment with different combinations of shank lengths, hooks and materials to create your ultimate “swim fly”! Typically, most Fish-Spine flies are tied with the hook in front of the fly, onto which is attached the body and tail section, comprised of either three or four shanks. An alternative is to place the shanks in front with the hook attached to the back of the fly.
Q: What fly tying materials can be used for a Fish-Spine fly?
A: A variety of synthetic or natural fly tying materials can be used. A tip to get maximum action out of the fly is to use materials that are dense enough to force the water to flow around the head of the fly versus through the material. When wrapping or tying in your materials, pack it as tightly as possible. The best synthetic material to use is undoubtedly Chocklett's Body Wrap (by Hareline Dubbin) which has been specifically made for tying with the Articulated Fish Spine. For tying smaller streamers use Frizzle Chenille (by Hareline Dubbin) which produces wonderful flies! For natural materials, any inexpensive hen feathers can be used to tie wonderful "feathered" Game Changer-style flies which are ultra-light and highly articulated!
