Fish-Skull® streamer tying materials
Fish-Skull® is our line of fly fishing streamer products. These fly tying materials are designed to combine ease of tying with top-notch performance on the water.
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Flymen Fishing Company
NEW Fish-Skull® Faux Bucktail™
$ 5.95
Visit product page →Tapered synthetic fly tying fibers.
Tie flies of all types and sizes from nymphs to Clousers to T-Bones with Fish-Skull Faux Bucktail, a tapered synthetic multi-use fly tying fiber designed to imitate typical premium-length natural bucktail.
Fish-Skull Faux Bucktail fibers have the same basic diameter, gentle crinkle, and taper as natural bucktail. In appearance, it looks almost identical and has the same distinctive bucktail fly or lure action in the water. However, the fibers are not hollow (which helps your fly sink faster) and will not “flare” in the same way as regular bucktail while tying. This means you will need to tie with slightly different techniques to achieve the same effect.
Every Faux Bucktail fiber is premium 6” (152 mm) length, giving you more than twice the amount of usable fibers per tail and eliminating the headache of sorting and searching for ideal strands. Simply peel off the full length of your desired amount of fibers, trim to length, and tie them in.
The fibers can be used in a wide range of fly or lure types.
- Trout flies: Beautiful tapered wrapped “quill” bodies, nymph wing cases, Mayfly tails and legs.
- Streamers: From tying typical Clouser Minnows or Deceivers right up to large, “bite-proof” Pike, Musky or Golden Dorado flies.
- Poppers: Tie simple and durable tails on foam poppers
- Bucktail Jigs: Tougher, longer lasting fresh and saltwater bucktail jigs.
- Musky Bucktail Lures or dressed trebles.
Note: Faux Bucktail cuts easily, but like most other synthetic materials can be hard on your nice scissors. Use serrated heavy duty scissors designed for synthetics (or an old pair you don’t mind abusing).
To learn more, read this article by Martin Bawden:
Inside Look: Designing Fish-Skull Faux Bucktail.-
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More useable fiber than natural bucktail.
Every fiber in the Faux Bucktail pack is useable! You will find that Faux Bucktail has approximately 2-3 times the amount of useable fiber per pack than a typical natural bucktail.Consistent length.
Unlike natural bucktail, every Faux Bucktail fiber is of premium length (6 inches / 152 mm), eliminating the need to sort and search for ideal length strands and having to discard short hairs and under fibers that are unusable.Ease of use.
Each Faux Bucktail bundle of fibers is glued together at the base making it easy and convenient to work with. Simply peel off the full length of your desired amount of fibers, trim to desired length, and tie them in. All the fibers are already “pre-stacked,” but like natural bucktail a clump of fibers can be easily pulled and teased out to create a nice tapered tail, wing or body on your fly or lure.Permanent color and sheen.
Faux Bucktail is available in 12 vibrant, consistent colors that will not bleed onto your hands while tying or fade from constant fishing. The fibers also have a semi-translucent sheen to them in the water which looks great!Tough & durable.
Designed to hold up to the toothy rigors of big-game fishing (“bite-proof”), Faux Bucktail fibers bond with super glue or other adhesives better than natural fibers, which secures eyes, thread wraps and other materials firmly in place and increases the lifespan of your flies or lures.Blends well with other materials.
One of the real strengths is that Faux Bucktail is that it blends and combines very well with both natural bucktail and other synthetic/non-synthetic fly tying materials. For example, it helps fly tyers to get more use out of their natural bucktails by providing an easy source of longer fibers that can be combined with the shorter fibers often not fully utilized on a natural bucktail.Sheds water.
Keep your flies light and easy to cast all day. No more waterlogged flies or lures.Sinks faster.
Because the fibers are not hollow, Faux Bucktail is not as buoyant as natural bucktail and will sink down into the water column faster. This is usually an advantage.No smell.
Unlike natural bucktail, Faux Bucktail will make the fish you are targeting (and your spouse) much, much happier!Performance advantage.
Faux Bucktail has a distinct performance advantage over other synthetic fibers on the market because it is tapered, enabling the fibers to move more naturally in the water like real animal fur. To explain, normal synthetic fibers are not tapered, which means the diameter of each fiber is exactly the same thickness from one end to the other. This creates a consistent stiffness along the full length of the fiber which does not allow the energy generated from the front of the fly or lure (as it moves through the water) to accelerate along the full length of the fiber to the back in the same way that a tapered fiber does. To illustrate this concept, think of how much easier it is to crack a whip than it is to crack a length of rope! In summary, a tapered fiber will give your fly or lure better action. - Like most synthetic fibers, Faux Bucktail is quite slippery and your thread may tend to slip (especially when wrapping a thread head). This can be frustrating, but some small adjustments to your tying technique can make this easier.
i. Use a strong thread (like Veravas 210 denier) and simply spin your bobbin multiple times while suspended from the fly in order to twist your tying thread into a tight “rope”. This gives the thread a nice rough texture which helps bite down and grip into the material.
ii. Put a drop of super glue (like Loctite Gel) on the base before making your first thread wrap. This immediately helps the thread to grab hold and stop slipping forward.
iii. Tie a small “thread ball” about an 1/8” in front of the tie-in point. This creates a small “valley” between the tie-in point and the thread ball to give the Faux Bucktail a place to fold down/sink into when you make your first wraps and overcomes the tendency of the thread to slip forwards.
See Blane Chocklett's instructional videos for a more in-depth explanation. -
Q: What does “faux” mean?
A: The word faux is derived from French and the definition is “Made in imitation; artificial. Not genuine; fake or false”
Q: What makes Faux Bucktail different from other synthetic fibers?
A: It’s all about the taper! Faux Bucktail is the first, long synthetic fiber on the market that is naturally tapered to a point like real animal fur.
This taper makes the fibers much more versatile allowing it to be easily used in a variety of ways (from nymphs to pike flies).
It also has a distinct performance advantage over other synthetic fibers on the market because tapered fibers move more naturally in the water. To explain, normal synthetic fibers are not tapered which means the diameter of each fiber is exactly the same thickness from one end to the other. This creates a “consistent stiffness” along the full length of the fiber which does not allow the energy generated from the front of the fly or lure (as it moves through the water) to accelerate along the full length of the fiber to the back in the same way that a tapered fiber does. To illustrate this concept, think of how much easier it is to crack a whip than it is to crack a length of rope! In summary, a tapered end (natural or synthetic) tends to give your fly or lure better action.
Q: Is Faux Bucktail meant to completely replace regular bucktail?
A: No. Natural bucktail is a unique material with certain fly tying properties that cannot be replicated with current technology and it has a place on every fly tyers desk. Faux Bucktail is not intended to be a replacement for every situation in which tyers use bucktail, but does provide fly tyers with an exciting new, synthetic option to supplement their fly tying material arsenal with.
Q: Are the fibers hollow like regular bucktail?
A: No. The biggest difference that fly tyers will notice is the fibers are solid and as a result does not “flare” easily. This means some adjustments to your tying technique will be needed when “hollow” or “reverse” tying in order to achieve similar effects. See Blane Chocklett's instructional videos to learn some quick and easy techniques to achieve this look with Faux Bucktail.
Q: I’m finding the fibers are slippery and my thread is slipping. What can I do?
A: Like most synthetic fibers, Faux Bucktail is quite slippery and your thread may tend to slip (especially when wrapping a thread head). This can be frustrating, but some small adjustments to your tying technique can make this easier.
Try one or all of these tips:
i. Use a strong thread (like Veravas 210 denier) and simply spin your bobbin multiple times while suspended from the fly in order to twist your tying thread into a tight “rope”. This gives the thread a nice rough texture which helps bite down and grip into the material.
ii. Put a drop of super glue (like Loctite Gel) on the base before making your first thread wrap. This immediately helps the thread to grab hold and stop slipping forward.
iii. Tie a small “thread ball” about an 1/8” in front of the tie-in point. This creates a small “valley” between the tie-in point and the thread ball to give the Faux Bucktail a place to fold down/sink into when you make your first wraps and overcomes the tendency of the thread to slip forwards.
See Blane Chocklett's instructional videos for a more in-depth explanation.
Q: What scissors should I use?
A: Warning! Faux Bucktail cuts easily, but like most other synthetic materials can be very hard on your nice scissors! Use one of the serrated, heavy duty scissors designed for synthetics that are now available (or an old pair you don’t mind abusing).
Q: Can I reverse or hollow tie with Faux Bucktail?
A: Yes, but because the fibers are not hollow you will need to make adjustments to your techniques in order to achieve the same effect.
Q: Will Faux Bucktail sink faster than natural bucktail?
A: Yes. Because the fibers are solid and not hollow, Faux Bucktail is not as buoyant as natural bucktail and will sink down faster into the water column. This is usually an advantage.
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Flymen Fishing Company
Fish-Skull® Senyo's Micro Shank™
$ 7.45
Visit product page →Tie scaled-down articulated flies with lifelike movement.
Co-designed by Greg Senyo
Greg Senyo is a prominent steelhead and salmon expert who has designed many leading fly tying materials.
Senyo’s Micro Shank is a smaller, lighter version of the popular Senyo’s Articulated Shank, and is a simple, versatile solution for tying a variety of small, articulated flies such as petite trout wet flies, low-water steelhead flies, sparse streamer designs, and small traditional salmon flies. The wire diameter is small enough to directly attach to hooks as small as size #10.
The ultralight, slim, and strong shank also offers a new option for tying surface flies and brings a high degree of realistic, articulated movement to small fly design.
Quantity per pack: 25 shanks
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Spey fishing for Trout
Swinging flies for trout on one-handed or lightweight two-hander fly rods has been rapidly gaining in popularity, and for good reason – it’s super fun!
Sometimes referred to as the “Single-Hand Spey Revolution,” anglers are now adapting proven, traditional spey fishing tactics and fly designs to target trout in ways similar to swinging flies for salmon and steelhead.Low-water steelhead fishing
In recent years, anglers targeting steelhead have had to adapt their fly designs to match the increasing low-water conditions in fisheries worldwide.
A lighter shank for designing and tying smaller, sparse flies is incredibly useful in these situations.European fly designs
Anglers across Europe, particularly in the Nordic countries and the Baltic region, are creating unique and innovative small fly designs to target Atlantic salmon, sea trout, and brown trout. Senyo’s Micro Shank enables the tying of these of these smaller, less bulky patterns.Other uses
Panfish, warmwater, and saltwater applications are still present, and this lightweight shank with an up-eye is compatible with all current shank models as an add on. -
Quick and easy to tie
Senyo's Shank is designed to be able to be held straight in any fly tying vise, avoiding the need to tie the fly at strange angles.
This allows you to easily attach a free-swinging stinger hook or do a direct hook-to-shank connection using the rear loop.Loop-up eye
Keeping with traditional salmon and steelhead flies.Thin wire
The Micro Shank uses thinner, lighter wire, enabling articulation of the fly without adding weight, which is a key factor in small, featherweight fly design.
This provides your flies with a more realistic action, while maintaining profile and the suspended, slow sink rates ideal for these styles of fishing.
Small rear loop
Allows you to attach hooks directly onto the shank.Stainless steel
For saltwater use. -
Hooks can be attached in 2 ways.
1. They can be connected directly to the rear loop to form a fixed articulated joint.
2. They can be connected using a wire loop to create a free-swinging stinger hook. Senyo Thin Intruder Wire for hooks #6 and under are ideal.
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Flymen Fishing Company
Fish-Skull® Shrimp & Cray Tail™
$ 3.95
Visit product page →Tie realistic, weighted shrimp and crayfish flies.
Designed by Martin Bawden
The Shrimp & Cray Tail™ is a stainless-steel weight molded in the shape of crustacean tails.
Quick and easy to tie, the Shrimp & Cray Tail™ is a simple alternative to bead chain eyes and dumbbells – two general-purpose fly tying materials which add the needed weight to shrimp and crayfish flies, but require ungainly tying methods and lack the distinctive tail profile of these creatures.
Target both saltwater and freshwater fish, from bonefish, permit, stripers, speckled trout, and redfish, to carp, smallmouth bass, and other warm-water species.
To learn more, read this article by Martin Bawden:
Inside look: Designing the Fish-Skull Shrimp & Cray Tail.Quantity per pack: Small, Medium (20); Large (15)
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Quick and easy to tie
No more figure-8 wraps and no more twisting. Simply tie in the Shrimp & Cray Tail™ directly in line with the hook shank and slightly behind the hook eye, then tie in the rest of your materials.
Realistic look and shape
Your completed fly will have a better finish and more realistic profile because the Shrimp & Cray Tail™ is molded after the true shape of crustacean tails.
Ensure your fly tracks correctly
The Shrimp & Cray Tail™ acts as a weighted keel by distributing most of the tail’s weight to the bottom of the fly (like a bead chain or dumbbell), ensuring it will swim in the correct position. This also allows you to tie with the hook facing either down or up.
Stable base
The shape of the tail acts almost as a tripod to provide a stable base for your fly to stand upon, which means (unlike bead chain eyes) your fly is less likely to fall on its side while laying motionless on the sand waiting to be stripped.
Trigger the strike
The initial strip of the fly can produce the telltale "puff" of sand or silt, similar to that of an escaping shrimp or crayfish bursting out of cover, to catch the attention of the fish you're targeting.
Stainless steel
Gives your fly the same weight you would expect from a bead chain or small dumbbell, allowing a predictable sink rate. -
Small
Fits hook sizes #8 and #6.
Has the same weight and width as a small bead chain.
Medium
Fits hook sizes #4 and #2.
Has the same weight and width as a large bead chain.
Large
Fits hook sizes #2, #1, and larger.
Has approximately the same weight as most small dumbbells. -
The Shrimp & Cray Tail™ is quick and easy to tie with.
You'll tie your favorite shrimp or crayfish fly in the same way as you would with a bead chain eye or dumbbell, except with a Shrimp & Cray Tail™ instead.
Step 1
Start your tying thread and wrap a thread base.
Step 2
Hold the Shrimp & Cray Tail™ in position underneath the hook shank, ensuring that the rear of the tail doesn't extend past the eye of the hook.
Step 3
Tie in place using strong, even thread wraps.
Step 4
Continue tying the remainder of the fly in the normal way. -
Q: How does the weight and size of the Shrimp & Cray Tail™ compare to bead chains and dumbbells?
A: The SMALL size has the same weight and width as a SMALL size bead chain.
The MEDIUM size has the same weight and width as a LARGE size bead chain.
The LARGE size is the approximate equivalent weight of most SMALL size dumbbells.This means that you can expect an equivalent and predictable sink rate when tying your favorite patterns.
Q: Can the Shrimp & Cray Tail™ be used to tie hook up and hook down flies?
A: Yes. The SCT acts as a keel helping to orientate your fly correctly in either position.
Q: Which existing fly patterns can be tied using the Shrimp & Cray Tail™?A: The Shrimp & Cray Tail™ can be used to tie virtually any shrimp or crayfish pattern that uses a bead chain or dumbbell. It is a simple material substitute that does not necessitate you to change the basic way the fly pattern is tied or constructed. Take your current patterns to the next level or create some new ones!
Q: Which size hooks should I use?
A: Hook sizes will always vary depending on which types of patterns you are tying and the hook models, however for typical bonefish flies (example: a Gotcha tied on a standard saltwater hook) we have found the following works well:
SMALL size for #8 & #6 hooks.
MEDIUM size for #4 & #2 hooks.
LARGE size for #2, #1 and larger hooks.
Q: What is the Shrimp & Cray Tail™ made of?A: The Shrimp & Cray Tail™ is made of high quality stainless steel which means it's strong, corrosion resistant and suitable for saltwater use.
Q: In what position of the hook shank should the tail be tied on?
A: Tie underneath the shank of the hook toward the eye, but make sure the Shrimp & Cray Tail™ does not extend past the eye of the hook because it will not keel correctly.
Q: Is the product patented?A: Yes, there is currently a Patent Pending status.
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Flymen Fishing Company
Fish-Skull® Chocklett's Body Tubing™
$ 5.95
Visit product page →Tie lighter & tougher flies.
NEW colors: red & purple
NEW size: 1/8" for smaller streamersCo-developed with Blane Chocklett
Blane Chocklett is widely regarded as one of the best big game anglers, fly tyers, and guides in the world. Chocklett’s Body Tubing is the authentic “secret ingredient” used by Blane in everything from trout flies to musky flies for heads, to segment the bodies, and to keep the materials flared up, allowing them to push more water and have the illusion of bulk — the hollow fly effect — while being light and castable all day.
Length per pack: 1/8" x 3', 1/4” x 3', and 1/2” x 2'
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Create a bigger fly body with less materials
The more materials you use, the heavier your fly gets, making it harder to cast. Body Tubing creates a ramp for your material to lay against, which flares it out to create the illusion of bulk without using much material, keeping your fly light and easy to cast.
Make your fly push more water
The flared materials allow your fly to push more water, making it more likely to attract the attention of your target fish.
Give your streamers longer lives
Body Tubing is designed to be tied to protect thread wraps from the teeth of fish. In addition, as the body materials begin to flatten against the body from extended fishing, you can push the tubing forward against the tying materials to flare them back up.
Alternative to reverse-tying for easier body tapering of flies
Whether you're tying with deer hair or other fibers, Body Tubing provides a solution to time-consuming reverse-tying.For use in fresh and saltwater streamer fly patterns of all sizes
Body Tubing was made famous for its use in the T-Bone, a large musky fly, but it's a useful material for flies of all sizes. The 3-size range (1/8", 1/4", 1/2") is designed to provide an option for any size streamer fly pattern and to allow for tapering.
Part of the Flymen Big Game Fly Solution
Combine with 10 mm or 15 mm Living Eyes, #10 or #15 Fish-Masks, and Big Game Shanks for ultimate big game flies. - Our friend Gunnar Brammer of Brammer's Custom Flies put together this tutorial on how to tie with Body Tubing.
Tip from Blane:
Because the 1/8" Body Tubing is so small, use as few thread wraps as possible to secure it. This allows you to fold it back over itself more easily and have more control over it, rather than being hindered by a larger mass of thread wraps.
1. Slide a piece of Body Tubing over the shank onto the edge of your tying material.
2. Tie in and leave thread in place.
3. Fold the tubing completely over itself toward the tail.
4. Adjust the open end of tubing to line up over the tied-in end. Tie off.
5. Fold the now doubled-over tubing back toward the tail to create a dam.
6. Begin the next segment directly in front of the dam to flare out the materials.
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Flymen Fishing Company
Fish-Skull® Baitfish Heads™
$ 6.80
Visit product page →The absolute best material for tying weighted streamer patterns.
Best of Show – Fly Tying Materials: 2010 International Fly Tackle Dealer Show
Designed by Martin BawdenThe Baitfish Head is a weighted head with a realistic baitfish profile and unique design features that make it a versatile platform for tying a wide variety of streamer patterns. Quick and easy to tie, this groundbreaking innovation in fly tying offers an exciting alternative to using dumbbells or cones to weight your streamers. A set of matching Fish-Skull Living Eyes is included with the heads in your pack.
Quantity per pack: Small (10); Small/Medium, Medium (8); Large (6)
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Realistic profile
Designed to mimic the head, eyes, and gill plates of a baitfish, and to push more water than traditional streamers.Front-fitting design
Quick and easy to use. Simply tie in all materials first, then fit the Baitfish Head from the front.Fish-Skull® Living Eyes™
Included in a corresponding size and color, these ultra-realistic eyes act as an important trigger for predatory game fish.Weighted keel
Distributes most of the head’s weight to the bottom of the streamer (like a dumbbell) ensuring it will swim in the correct position. This also allows you to tie with the hook facing either down or up.Top and bottom slots
Allow vertical freedom of movement for the tying materials so you can tie broader profile streamers and get more natural action from the materials.Colors
Available in six colors carefully selected to match almost any color of natural or synthetic fly tying material, and are anodized to provide color, flash and durability. -
Small
Fits hook sizes #8, #6, #4.
Weight: 0.48 grams (0.017 ounces).Small/Medium
Fits hook sizes #4, #2, #1.
Weight: 0.79 grams (0.028 ounces).Medium
Fits hook sizes #2, #1, 1/0.
Weight: 1.26 grams (0.044 ounces).Large
Fits hook sizes 2/0, 3/0, 4/0.
Weight: 2.46 grams (0.087 ounces).Note: Baitfish Heads have been sized using standard-length streamer hooks as a reference point. However, due to the wide variance in hook sizes and shapes found between the different hook manufacturers, this only provides general guidance to the hook sizes suitable for each size head. We suggest you experiment to find the optimum hook for the particular streamer pattern you wish to tie.
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After tying in all your materials, complete the fly by simply fitting the Baitfish Head from the front and finish off by tying a small thread dam between the skull and the hook eye.
1. Tie in all your materials first. When you tie off your materials, be sure leave a small gap of about a hook eye width between your thread head and the eye of the hook. This small gap leaves some room for the head and the final thread wraps.
2. Build up your thread head to a size that allows the head to fit snugly over your thread wraps and materials. This will be different for every fly you tie and is 100% dependent on the amount and type of materials you are using for the particular fly pattern you are tying. For example: a sparsely tied fly will have a smallish thread head after your materials are tied in; therefore, you may have to build up a bigger head by using more thread wraps than usual.
3. Lightly coat the thread wraps with some Super Glue. Simply coat the thread head all around (top, bottom, sides). A slight overlap onto the materials is fine (it all gets covered by the head, so no need to be too neat and tidy!) Give it 20-30 seconds to start drying a bit, and then fit the head.
4. Put the head on the fly from the front. You now have a unique opportunity to position your materials exactly how you want them on the fly before the glue sets. While the Super Glue is drying, you typically you will have about a minute or two to re-arrange your streamer materials exactly as desired. For example: if you want a broader profile fly you could position the materials in an Hi Tie position and once the glue dries it stays in place.
5. Tie a small thread-dam in front of the head, tie off, and cement. This small step locks everything tightly in place and guarantees the head will never come off. Finish the fly by securing the Fish-Skull Living Eyes securely in place using Super Glue or a light-hardening epoxy such as Clear Cure Goo.
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Q: Where are Baitfish Heads made?
A: In the USA at our North Carolina facility.
Q: What are the Baitfish Heads made of?
A: They are made of a light-weight alloy comprised mainly of Zinc, which means it adds weight, but remains light enough to cast with a fly rod. There is no lead whatsoever in the product making it environmentally friendly.
Q: How much do they weigh?
Small size weighs 0.48 grams (0.017 ounces).
A: They weigh roughly the same as an equivalent hook size dumbbell.
Small/Medium size weighs 0.79 grams (0.028 ounces).
Medium size weighs 1.26 grams (0.044 ounces).
Large size weighs 2.46 grams (0.087 ounces).
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Flymen Fishing Company
Fish-Skull® Sculpin Helmet™
$ 6.80
Visit product page →The ultimate heavyweight head for deep-swimming, hook-up streamers.
Best of Show – Fly Tying Materials: 2011 International Fly Tackle Dealer Show
Tie heavyweight streamers with realistic, flat and broad profiles; the perfect imitation for common bottom-dwelling fish species such as sculpins, gobies and baby catfish. Designed for use on both hook and tube streamers, the Sculpin Helmet has a weighted keel to keep your streamer swimming hook-up and avoid snagging.
Quantity per pack: 8
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Realistic profile
Flat and broad profile that imitates common bottom-dwelling fish species such as sculpins, gobies and baby catfish.Front-fitting design
Simply tie in all materials first, then fit the Sculpin Helmet from the front. Quick and easy to use.Front slot
Allows for use on both hook and tube flies.Fish-Skull® Living Eyes™
Included in a corresponding size and color, these ultra-realistic eyes act as an important trigger for predatory game fish.Heavyweight Keel
Distributes most of the helmet’s weight to the bottom of the streamer, ensuring it will swim in the correct position. This also allows you to tie with the hook facing either down or up. We have deliberately made the Sculpin Helmet significantly heavier than the Baitfish Head so that it will sink quickly in fast moving rivers and fish deeper near the bottom where sculpins typically live.Colors
Available in brown, black and olive, plus silver in the Mini size. The matte (non-shiny) finish is perfect for the type of shy, bottom-dwelling species you are trying to imitate. The special oxide coating gives an uneven, almost blotchy, effect that has differing shades of color. For example, the brown color Sculpin Helmet is mostly a dark brown color, but will also reflect shades of black and tan at different angles giving a type of camouflage effect. -
Mini
Fits hook sizes #10, #8, #6, #4, #2.Small
Fits hook sizes #6, #4, #2, #1.Large
Fits hook sizes #2, #1, 1/0, 2/0.Note: The Mini is designed with a specially enlarged front slot to fit a wider range of hook sizes. This increased flexibility in hook sizes allows the Mini to be used in a wide variety of freshwater and saltwater streamer patterns.
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After tying in all your materials, complete the streamer by simply fitting the Sculpin Helmet from the front and finish off by tying a small thread dam between the skull and the hook eye.
1. Start by building your streamer; tie in all the tail, body and wing materials. Wrap a small thread-head and tie off your thread. Make sure you leave a generous gap between your thread-head and the eye of the hook to have room to fit the helmet.
2. Coat your thread wraps lightly with some Zap-A-Gap or similar glue and then fit the helmet from the front of the streamer. Position in place and make any final adjustments to your materials.
3. Re-attach your tying thread between the helmet and the eye of the hook and wrap a thread-dam to lock the helmet firmly in place. Tie off and cement the thread wraps.
4. Finish the streamer by sticking on the Living Eyes.
Step-by-steps for tying flies with the Sculpin Helmet such as the Skull Daddy Crayfish or Foxy Shrimp. -
Q: Where are Sculpin Helmets made?
A: In the USA at our North Carolina facility.
Q: What are the Baitfish Helmets made of?
A: They are made of a light-weight alloy comprised mainly of Zinc, which means it adds weight, but remains light enough to cast with a fly rod. There is no lead whatsoever in the product making it environmentally friendly.
Q: Can I use the Sculpin Helmet for tube flies?A: Yes. The front slot has been designed so that both hooks and tube flies can be tied. The Mini and Small sizes fit a 3/32″ (2.4mm) diameter tube and the Large size fits a 1/8″ (3.2mm) diameter tube.
Q: What is the keel?A: Streamers tied with the Sculpin Helmet are designed to fish deep in the hook-up position to avoid getting caught on the bottom. To achieve this, the Sculpin Helmet is made so that 70% of it’s weight and the center of gravity is situated below the shank of the hook. This heavyweight keel, or bottom, gives a dumbbell effect to the streamer, which means it will always ride in the hook-up position and track straight.
Q: How much do they weigh?A: We have deliberately made the Sculpin Helmet significantly heavier than the Baitfish Head so it will sink quickly in fast moving rivers and fish deeper near the bottom where Sculpins typically live.
Mini size weighs 0.55 grams (0.02 ounces). We recommend you use a minimum rod/line weight size of #4 and higher.
Small size weighs 1.38 grams ( 0.05 ounces). We recommend you use a minimum rod/line weight size #5/6 and higher.
Large size weighs 2.98 grams ( 0.10 ounces). We recommend you use a minimum rod/line weight size #7/8 and higher.
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Flymen Fishing Company
Fish-Skull® Fish-Mask™
$ 5.50
Visit product page →Tie weightless streamers that suspend in the water column.
Best of Show – Fly Tying Materials: 2013 International Fly Tackle Dealer Show
Best Tying Material: 2014 Outdoor Canada New Fly Fishing Gear Awards
The Fish-Mask is a weightless, clear version of the Baitfish Head that provides a clean, simple, and effective alternative to creating heads with epoxies. A realistic baitfish profile and the ability to take on the color of body materials make it a versatile platform for tying a wide variety of weightless streamer patterns.
The 8 sizes in the Fish-Mask range are designed to be exactly fit the 8 sizes of Living Eyes (a #4 Fish-Mask uses 4mm Living Eyes, a #5 Fish-Mask uses 5mm Living Eyes, etc.).
Quantity per pack: #3 (12); #4, #5 (10); #6, #7, #8.5 (8); #10, #15 (6)
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Realistic profile
Designed to mimic the head, eyes, and gill plates of a baitfish, and to push more water than traditional flies.Front-fitting design
Quick and easy to use. Simply tie in all materials first, then fit the Fish-Mask from the front.Recessed eye sockets
Designed to securely position, hold, and protect the eyes. The sizes directly correspond with Fish-Skull Living Eyes, which act as an important trigger for predatory game fish. (Fish Mask #3 fits Living Eyes 3 mm., etc.).
Add articulation
Compatible with our entire articulated shank family: Articulated Shank, Articulated Fish-Spine, Chocklett's Big Game Shank, and Senyo's Articulated Shank for Steelhead and Salmon Flies.
Part of the Flymen Big Game Fly Solution
Combine with Chocklett's Articulated Big Game Shanks, Chocklett's Body Tubing, and 10 mm or 15 mm Living Eyes for ultimate big game flies.
Fish-Mask Size Chart -
#3
Fits hook sizes #10, #8, #6, & Fish-Skull Articulated Shank.#4
Fits hook sizes #8, #6, #4, & Fish-Skull Articulated Shank.#5
Fits hook sizes #6, #4, #2, & Fish-Skull Articulated Shank.#6
Fits hook sizes #2, #1, 1/0, & Fish-Skull Articulated Shank.#7
Fits hook sizes #1, 1/0, 2/0, & Fish-Skull Articulated Shank.#8.5
Fits hook sizes 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, & Fish-Skull Articulated Shank.#10
Fits hook sizes 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, & Fish-Skull Chocklett's Big Game Shank.#15
Fits hook sizes 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, & Fish-Skull Chocklett's Big Game Shank. -
After tying in all your materials, complete the fly by simply fitting the Fish-Mask from the front and finish off by tying a small thread dam between the skull and the hook eye.
1. Tie the entire fly onto the hook (or articulated shank) leaving a small gap behind the eye of the hook
2. Create a large thread head and tie off your materials.
3. Add super glue (or Clear Cure Goo Hydro) to the thread wraps.
4. Fit the Fish-Mask from the front of the fly and position it in place against the materials as desired. Note: If you use Clear Cure Goo, your UV light will shine right through the Fish-Mask and cure the goo within 8 to 10 seconds!
5. Tie a small thread-dam in front of the head, tie off, and cement. The thread head locks the Fish-Mask firmly in place, making it impossible to come loose.
Step-by-step instructions on how to tie flies with the Fish-Mask such as the Masked Bugger and Masked Minnow. -
Q: Does the Fish-Mask sink or float?
A: The density of the material is slightly thicker than water, which means it will sink very slowly. This is perfect for creating weightless streamers that will suspend in the water column.
Q: Can the Fish-Mask be colored?
A: Yes, Fish-Masks can be colored using Copic marker pens.
Q: Can the Fish-Mask be combined with a Fish-Skull Articulated Shank?
A: Yes, the front-slot of the Fish-Mask is designed to fit our entire range of Fish-Skull articulated shanks: the Articulated Shank, Chocklett's Articulated Big Game Shank, the Articulated Fish-Spine, and Senyo's Articulated Shank for Steelhead & Salmon Flies.
Q: What eyes can be used with the Fish-Mask?
A: Each size of Fish-Mask is designed to correspond to the range of Living Eyes. However, almost any type of 3D or stick-on fish eyes may also be used. This flexibility enables fly tiers to use whatever color or style of fish eyes best suited for the fly pattern they are tying and opens up endless possibilities for creativity. Please note that the Living Eyes are sold separately.
Q: What is the best way to secure the eyes in place?
A: We highly recommend using Clear Cure Goo Hydro to seal the eyes in place. This completely covers and then seals the eyes in place deep inside the eye sockets to produce a realistic finish. The eyes will never come off! Simply place the Living Eyes in the eye socket, cover them completely with some Clear Cure Goo Hydro, and then hit it with the light for 8 – 10 seconds to cure. You will love the result. Another method is to use clear drying super glue in the base of the eye sockets and then stick the Living Eyes in place. Done correctly, this is a very quick and effective technique.
Q: What is the Flymen Big Game Fly Solution?
A: A predator size Fish-Mask (#10 or #15) + Living Eyes (10mm or 15mm) + Chocklett’s Articulated Big Game Shank = the key platform upon which large, big game flies can be built.
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Flymen Fishing Company
Fish-Skull® Living Eyes™
$ 3.50
Visit product page →Bring your flies to life with the most realistic 3D eyes on the market.
Designed by Martin Bawden
Designed with photo-realistic holographic technology and high-resolution images of real baitfish eyes, this comprehensive range of fly tying eyes includes colors and sizes designed to fit everything from smaller trout patterns to huge predator-style flies.
Quantity per pack: 3 mm - 7 mm (20); 8.5 mm - 10 mm (16); 15 mm (12)
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An important trigger for predatory gamefish
Enhance your streamers with this lifelike element.
Perfect combinations
Living Eyes are sized to directly correspond with Baitfish Heads, Fish-Masks, and Sculpin Helmets.
Part of the Flymen Big Game Fly Solution
Combine with Chocklett's Articulated Big Game Shanks and #10 or #15 Fish-Masks for ultimate big game flies.
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3 mm
Fits Baitfish Heads (Small), Sculpin Helmets (Mini, Small), & Fish-Masks (#3).4 mm
Fits Baitfish Heads (Small/Medium), Sculpin Helmets (Large), & Fish-Masks (#4).5 mm
Fits Baitfish Heads (Medium), & Fish-Masks (#5).6 mm
Fits Baitfish Heads (Large), & Fish-Masks (#6).7 mm
Fits Fish-Masks (#7).8.5 mm
Fits Fish-Masks (#8.5).10 mm
Fits Fish-Masks (#10).15 mm
Fits Fish-Masks (#15). -
Living Eyes have an adhesive backing, but we recommend that you use a Super Glue, epoxy or Clear Cure Goo to stick them securely onto your fly.
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Q: Can you tell us more about the Predator (15 mm) size?
A: Keeping up with demand for big flies to chase musky, pike, large trout, and various saltwater species, we’ve created the new 15mm (5/8″) Predator eye. Finally, eyes proportionate to the size of larger flies designed to trigger an attack response from large, toothy, aggressive species such as golden dorado, peacock bass, tiger fish and barracuda.
Q: Do they have a self adhesive backing like other 3D eyes on the market?
A: Yes, but like other eyes we recommend that you use a Super Glue, epoxy or Clear Cure Goo to stick them securely onto your fly.
Q: What is the best way to look at the Living Eyes?
A: Go outside into the natural light and you will get a true appreciation of what the eyes will look like under normal fishing conditions. Indoors under artificial light, the holographic material we use in the eyes unfortunately tends to reflect light in multiple directions which sometimes makes it hard to clearly see the Living Eyes’ fine detail and wonderful colors.
Q: Are the Living Eyes hard or soft to the touch?
A: They are fairly rigid in order to hold their shape, but under some pressure they are flexible and feel slightly soft. Just like real eyes!
Q: Do you have any tying tips or tricks for sticking the 6 mm eyes onto the large Baitfish Heads?
A: We made the 6 mm Living Eyes exactly the same size as the eye socket of the large Baitfish Heads, and as a result they are a very tight fit. We recommend you put a small spot of Super Glue in the eye socket and position the eye in place as normal. Then, wait a minute of two, place a cloth over the Fish-Skull and then squeeze hard with both eyes between your thumb and forefinger. This squeezing together pops the eyes into place in the socket and you are good to go! Alternatively, just use a 5 mm Living Eye, which is slightly smaller.
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An important trigger for predatory gamefish
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Flymen Fishing Company
Fish-Skull® Articulated Shank™
$ 5.95
Visit product page →Articulated streamers, simplified.
Designed by Martin Bawden.
This innovative, multipurpose material is a key component for tying different styles of articulated streamers, such as single-hook and double-hook articulated streamers, poppers, and sliders, as well as in streamers that use a free-swinging stinger hook, such as intruder-style salmon and steelhead flies.
Quantity per pack: 20
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Quick and easy to tie
Eliminates the need to sacrifice a hook to make a shank.Realistic movement
Increases both tail action and overall fly length.Durability
Reduces the leverage a hooked fish typically places on a fly.Stainless steel
For saltwater use.Limitless combinations
Combine with the Baitfish Head, Fish-Mask, or Sculpin Helmet to create irresistible, realistic streamer patterns. -
1. Tie materials onto the hook to create the tail of the fly.
2. Fit the finished tail hook on the loop of the Articulated Shank.
3. Put the Articulated Shank in the vise and use thread wraps to close off the loop.
4. Continue adding body materials to the Articulated Shank and finish the fly in the normal way.
Getting Started with the Articulated Shank -
Q: Does the Articulated Shank introduce new concepts in tying articulated streamers?
A: Not really. For the most part it is intended as a fly tying material that can be used to simplify some of the established articulating methods commonly used today. Fly tiers can still tie the same types/styles of articulated streamers, but now the Articulated Shank makes this a little easier and quicker by eliminating some of the tying steps and improvised materials (such as sacrificing hooks to make a shank). In saying that, the simplicity of the Articulated Shank allows the fly tier to experiment and create new and innovative techniques to articulate flies. You are only limited by your imagination!
Q: How would you describe the shank?
A: Simple. It is essentially a hook-shank with a straight hook eye on one end and a vertical, over-sized loop on the other. It is made of 316 stainless spring steel so that it can also be used in saltwater. It is available in 3 lengths i.e. 20mm (3/4”), 35mm (1 3/8”) and 55mm (2 1/8”) to give fly tiers plenty of options.
Q: How thick is the wire?
A: The wire diameter of the Articulated Shank is roughly the same as a typical #4 or #2 streamer hook. It needs to be this diameter in order to fit through the eye of the hook you are articulating. So by default, the Articulated Shank is intended for streamers using hook sizes from about a #4 hook upwards. Experiment with your hooks as there is no industry standardization and hook eye sizes will vary between hook makes, models and sizes.
Q: How strong is the wire?
A: The strength is about the same as a #4 or #2 streamer hook. Like a long streamer hook, if you had to put enough direct pressure on it with your hands it would bend. However, one of the major advantages and beauty of an articulated fly is that it vastly reduces the amount of leverage that a hooked fish can place on the fly. This concept is not always widely understood or discussed, but is a key factor in landing bigger fish more often. The shank sits between the fly line/tippet and the articulated hook which moves independently from the shank. So no matter how hard a fish fights it becomes virtually impossible to exert any direct pressure on the shank. The shank essentially becomes just an extension of the straight line that connects an angler to the hook in the fishes mouth.
Q: Why an over-sized vertical loop?
A: A little more freedom of movement. In addition to side-to-side action, we also wanted to ensure there is plenty of room for up-and-down movement on the drop between strips. Typically the loop is completely covered with body materials right up to the articulation point and cannot be seen.
Q: What is the difference between the Articulated Shank and Senyo’s Articulated Shank for Steelhead & Salmon flies?
A: Both shanks work very well, but the main difference is the Articulated Shank is more of a general purpose shank with various fly tying applications, whereas Senyo’s Articulated Shank is specialized with features that modern steelhead and salmon fly tiers have been asking for.
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Flymen Fishing Company
Fish-Skull® Articulated Fish-Spine™
$ 7.95
Visit product page →NEW Fish-Spine Tail Shank now available!
Tie animated baitfish patterns with ultra-lifelike action.
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™.
If you enjoy tying Game Changer style flies but get frustrated with tying the tail section, the NEW Tail Shank is the solution you've been looking for.
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)
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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
The Articulated Shank Family
For use in saltwater streamers.
- Potentially any dense synthetic material (we recommend Chocklett's Body Wrap) or natural feathers can be used, flies can be weighted or unweighted, and the hook can be in the front or the back.
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 Spine
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Q: 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!
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Flymen Fishing Company
Fish-Skull® Chocklett's Articulated Big Game Shank™
$ 7.95
Visit product page →Tie large, articulated streamers to catch river, lake, and sea monsters.
Co-developed with Blane Chocklett
Blane Chocklett is one of the fly fishing industry’s most forward-thinking and innovative fly tyers. His beefed-up version of the Articulated Shank is optimized for strength with heavy-gauge, stainless steel wire, and has extended length with oversized loops for bigger hooks.
Quantity per pack: 28 mm (20); 40 mm (16); 80 mm (12)
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Oversized loops
Give the eye of the fly enough room to use a heavy-duty bite tippet, and creates space for bigger hooks (6/0 or 7/0) to move freely on the back loop.Extended loop length
Allows you to tie them down further along the shank, which adds strength to the loop and helps prevent bigger fish pulling out the loop during an extended fight.Stainless steel
For use in saltwater streamers.
Part of the Flymen Big Game Fly Solution
Combine with 10 mm or 15 mm Living Eyes and #10 or #15 Fish-Masks for ultimate big game flies.
Big Game Shank Comparison Chart -
Typically most flies will be single hook flies on a single shank with the hook positioned towards the back of the fly.
1. Put your hook in the vise and tie the tail section of the fly.
2. Attach the shank and tie the body and head section of the fly. To do this, thread the hook (back section) onto the back loop of the shank.
3. Put the shank in your vise held in place by the back loop. Attach your tying thread to the shank and lay a strong thread base along the entire length of the shank. In the process you will be closing the back loop with your thread. We suggest you use a strong Gel Spun or Kevlar thread and make the thread base as thick and strong as possible.
4. Cover and seal the thread base with a layer of Super Glue, epoxy or Clear Cure Goo to add strength.
Basic Tying Steps for Chocklett's Articulated Big Game Shank -
Q: What are the typical Big Game species that anglers are now targeting with fly rods?
A: One of the most exciting developments in modern fly fishing is that our equipment (fly rods, reels, line, tippet and larger flies) now enable anglers to target almost any fish species previously considered nearly impossible to land with a fly rod. Even marlin and sailfish are now regularly being targeted and caught using fly rods!
Generally in freshwater, the Big Game Shank will be used for tying large flies to target predator species such as musky, pike, peacock bass, golden dorado, tiger fish and larger lake trout.
Generally in saltwater, the Big Game Shank will be used for tying large flies to target predator species such as barracuda, striped bass, roosterfish , or Spanish mackerel, and offshore species such tuna, sailfish, and mahi-mahi, just to name a few.
Q: What size hooks can be used with the Big Game Shanks?
A: The Big Game Shank uses a heavier gauge (thickness/diameter) wire which means that the diameter of the hook eye needs to be slightly bigger in order to fit on the shank. The eye diameter will vary between different hooks, but generally most hooks from size #1 up to 7/0 will fit comfortably.
Q: Why does the Big Game Shank have extended length, with oversized front and back loops?
A: We have extended the length of the wire loops as much as possible so they can be tied down further along the shank. This adds strength to the loop and helps prevents a bigger fish pulling out the loop during an extended fight. The Big Game Shank has larger, oversized loops so the eye of the fly has enough room to use a heavy-duty bite tippet. In addition, the larger loop creates space for bigger hooks (6/0 or 7/0) to move freely on the back loop.
Q: Will the Big Game Shank fit the Fish-Skull Baitfish Heads?
A: Yes, the large Baitfish Heads can be used with the Big Game Shank.
Q: Can multiple shanks be daisy-chained together to tie longer and more articulated flies?
A: Yes, this is an increasingly popular method of tying extra-large articulated streamers. The fly can be constructed in several different segments using a shank for each section.
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Flymen Fishing Company
Fish-Skull® Senyo's Articulated Shank for Steelhead and Salmon Flies™
$ 8.95
vFlymen Fishing Company
Fish-Skull® Senyo's Articulated Shank for Steelhead and Salmon Flies™
$ 8.95
Visit product page →Specialized shanks for articulated freshwater and saltwater steelhead and salmon flies.
Co-designed by Greg Senyo
Greg Senyo is a prominent steelhead and salmon expert who has designed many leading fly tying materials. Specialized for use in intruder-style and other modern steelhead and salmon flies, Senyo's shanks have sought-after features such as a loop-up eye at the front of the shank, stronger stainless steel wire, and a slightly smaller rear loop. Bright, vibrant colors enable you to take the color blending of materials to a whole new level.
To make the most of the possibilities of Senyo's Shanks, read his highly anticipated recent book - Fusion Fly Tying: Steelhead, Salmon, and Trout Flies of the Synthetic Era - for 36 patterns that'll push your comfort zone and teach you to combine modern and traditional fly tying styles.
Quantity per pack: 20
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Quick and easy to tie
Senyo's Shank is held straight in any vise, avoiding the need to tie the fly at strange angles. This allows you to easily attach a free-swinging stinger hook or do a direct hook-to-shank connection using the rear loop.Loop-up eye
Keeping with traditional salmon and steelhead flies.Small rear loop
Allows you to attach hooks directly onto the shank.Stainless steel
For saltwater use. -
1. The shank is held in your vise by the rear loop.
2. Tie your fly in the normal way.
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Q: What is the difference between Senyo’s Articulated Shank and the normal Articulated Shank?
A: Both shanks work very well, but Senyo’s Articulated Shank has been designed with special features that modern steelhead and salmon fly tiers have been asking for. The most significant of these is having a loop up-eye at the front of the shank, stronger wire, a slightly smaller rear loop and the choice of bright, vibrant shank colors that enable fly tiers to take the color blending of materials to a whole new level.
Q: Is this shank intended for tying traditional and classic flies?
A: Not really. This shank is intended for the tying of the more contemporary steelhead and salmon flies that have been gaining in popularity in recent years. Examples include intruder-style and various types of articulated Alaskan-style flies used for catching Pacific salmon species. However, if you enjoy tying classics then combining these techniques with the shank may offer some interesting possibilities for new flies.
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