| Hook: | Mustad Signature R74 Sizes 2 - 8 | |
| Thread: | 8/0 White | |
| Tail: | Silver Flashabou Mirage #3301 Opal Silver | |
| Body: | Silver Flashabou Mirage #3301 Opal Silver | |
| Eyes: | Wapsi 1/8" Silver Hologram Eyes | |
| Yolk Sac: | Orange Hot Glue |
There are some excellent and well illustrated directions to this fly at the "Mustad Fly of the Month" web site. On the left hand side of the page, click on "The Alvin Fly".
The fly I submitted to this swap is different only in the hook I used. I could not find the Mustad Signature hooks in my area, so I used a Gaelick Supreme streamer hook in size 6. The Gaelick is an excellent hook design (though a bit expensive) and I really like the silvered finish for baitfish imitations.
In the on-line instructions, Jeff Pierce advises that one could use sparkle braid for the body. He also suggests getting Flashabou Mirage, and I heartily concur with that suggestion. Flashabou Mirage is some amazing material with a real ability to reflect light just like the sides of a baitfish. The glue I used is "Oregon Cheese" orange color from Hareline Dubbing. It is important to use clear glue and to drop the fly into cold water while the glue is still hot to help it dry clearly.
This is my first "hot glue" fly. With the cost of the mini-glue guns below $5 at craft shops there is no excuse not to experiment with this tying method. I found working with the glue gun to be much easier (and cleaner) than both epoxy and silicone caulk.
While I have not fished this fly yet, I am excited about swinging it off sandy bars into deeper water this spring in an imitation of the real fry. I can feel the jolt as the smallies bust it even now...