Fly Tying

Pink Pookie
by Barry Morris

HOOK : STANDARD DRY FLY SIZE 12 TO 6

THREAD : HOT PINK OR RED 6/0

BODY : PINK FLY FOAM

UNDERWING : ELK OR DEER HAIR

WING : TAN FLY FOAM (COLOR CAN BE CHANGED TO MATCH HATCH)

HOTSPOT : BRIGHT ORANGE FLY FOAM (ANY BRIGHT COLOR WILL DO)

FOAM FOR BODY AND WING CAN BE CUT BY HAND, BUT IT IS EASIER TO PURCHASE BODY AND WING CUTTER SETS. THESE CAN BE OBTAINED THROUGH SEVERAL FLY TYING OUTLETS. HATCH FINDERS FLY SHOP  www.hatchfinders.com   IS WHERE I GOT MINE

Start by putting the body on the hook. Place the hook at the center of the rear end of the body with the barb toward the front. This is an easy way to gauge the gap width that you need to have for the extended body. Where the barb touches the foam, pass it through the foam, then run the foam up the curve of the hook to the point where the shank meets the curve.

 Attach the thread just behind the eye and cover the shank back to a point just past the point of the hook.

With the thread held above the hook, move the foam body to the lower side of the hook with the flat end toward the eye, then make two loose wraps around the body. Slowly, but solidly tighten the wraps. This needs to be snug to keep the foam from twisting on the hook.

Hold the body back and run the thread up the hook shank to the point you want to make your next segment and repeat the previous step. Try to space out to make three segments before the head.

After you make the last segment before the head, trim the excess foam right behind the hook eye. Then you do the same process you used to make the segments to make the lower part of the head binding the foam down just behind the eye. This can be close to the eye since you will be finishing the fly behind the head. Tie in the wing pointing toward the front (eye end) of the hook at this point gauging the length so that the tip of the wing will extend just past the back of the body when folded back. Take the thread back behind the head segment ( cross the hook at the top so you don't mess up the head ). Take a sparse clump of elk hair and stack it then tie it in on top of the hook to form the underwing and bind down the butts. Now fold the wing back and make a couple of loose wraps then slowly and securely tighten the wraps (like you did the body segments) to form the head. Attach rubber legs to each side of the head and attach the hot spot foam on top. Whip finish and trim the hotspot apply head cement to whip finish and you are done.

This fly was developed by Dean Reiners of Hatch Finders Fly Shop in Livingston, Montana and it has become one of the most effective hopper patterns out there. It isn't just a trout fly. Bass and bluegill will gobble it up too!