[sculpin swinger]

Back to where I came from. I fish near the coast in winter, this is what gives me confidence.

32 mm shank, rigged old school, red Owner ssw size 2 is the go to hook. Unweighted, some under fur left in the Finn raccoon underwing to keel the fly. Loop and collar separate the fur under wing from the hackle on top. The Finn **** has some serious boogie - that tail kicks.

 

[sculpin swinger]

Low and clear favorite.

 

[Jim Elie]

Back to where I came from. I fish near the coast in winter, this is what gives me confidence. View attachment 392446
View attachment 392445
32 mm shank, rigged old school, red Owner ssw size 2 is the go to hook. Unweighted, some under fur left in the Finn raccoon underwing to keel the fly. Loop and collar separate the fur under wing from the hackle on top. The Finn **** has some serious boogie - that tail kicks.

Congrats....that’s an effective lively looking Intruder pattern in the tradition of a Waddington or Bora. Are you using a fixed or swinging hook?
Regards from the Restigouche...Jim

 

[flytie09]

Love those colors. A well crafted swinger.

 

[sculpin swinger]

Congrats....that’s an effective lively looking Intruder pattern in the tradition of a Waddington or Bora. Are you using a fixed or swinging hook?
Regards from the Restigouche...Jim

Thanks Jim,
I tie a non slip loop to the hook, which is held point up in a piece of “junction tubing”, about 5/16 of an inch long for my liking. I like to keep the hook in the body of the fly. Here is a picture of one I swung today, as rigged.

Sometimes the loop to the hook is long and the hook may hang loose, but I am getting better at eying, and tying the right length.

 

[moethedog]

Finn Raccoon is great stuff.

 

[Fish Tech]

Flies rigged "old school style" look & fish so much better IMO than an ugly stiff wire loop hanging off the back of the shank! I rig the same as you Brother !

 

[sculpin swinger]

An update on this very fly and it’s use. I tied it on a sink 5/6 12’ tip at the start of the day and fished it for 6 hours. A lot of time bushwhacking, looking for water to swing.
The second run of the day the fly just stops mid swing, I feel tension build, and nothing…I’m left wondering if I should have set on it. I fish a half dozen more runs with out a bump. I hike back to my van, and drive upriver a few miles to fish a few more good swing runs. I start short, just the tip and about 2’ of line out. Cast, pull 3’, cast…

By the time I am casting under the tree on the far side (in line with lower end of the upper falls), no mend just let it swing. When the fly came out of the main current and hit the softer inside water I felt him eat, I set on him and he came out of the water 10-12 times, a few short runs and I brought him in. Once I got a hold of the leader he went wild, I held on until til he relaxed, grabbed my pliers and unhooked him. He righted himself and swam off untouched. Buck better than 30” long and about 5” across the back, a true grey ghost, not a hint of color.
This fly remains my winter favorite!

 

[Jim Elie]

Congrats....that’s a dream catch from that gorgeous trough...a steelie you will always remember. Well done.
Regards...Jim

 

[fishhouse]

Could you elaborate on the ”old school“ rigging?
Sounds like the hook loop, however it’s tied, is not incorporated in the construction of the fly but added, to taste, say streamside?
Thanks,
Jed

 

[sculpin swinger]

Could you elaborate on the ”old school“ rigging?
Sounds like the hook loop, however it’s tied, is not incorporated in the construction of the fly but added, to taste, say streamside?
Thanks,
Jed

The line runs through the eye of the shank and through a loop of 30# mono that is tied on the shank under the body of the fly. A piece of junction tubing (3/8-1/2” long) is next, then your hook tied with a non slip loop. The loop is pulled into the tubing, which goes on to the end of your shank.
Ideally the 30# loop allows your line to pass through, but not the loop knot to your hook. The loop to your hook should be sized so the eye ends up tight to the end of the tubing, unless you want it to swing freely.
Let me know if you need pictures to clarify.

Evan

 

[fishhouse]

The line runs through the eye of the shank and through a loop of 30# mono that is tied on the shank under the body of the fly. A piece of junction tubing (3/8-1/2” long) is next, then your hook tied with a non slip loop. The loop is pulled into the tubing, which goes on to the end of your shank.
Ideally the 30# loop allows your line to pass through, but not the loop knot to your hook. The loop to your hook should be sized so the eye ends up tight to the end of the tubing, unless you want it to swing freely.
Let me know if you need pictures to clarify.

Evan

Thanks, Evan, got it.
Jed