Fly Tying Inventory
Alpha Predator
Alpha Predator is Cheech's all-synthetic baitfish, first tied for musky on a 5/0 Trokar hook and then found to draw steady interest from bass. Long Flash 'N Slinky fibers give it a deep, flowing body with more movement than most synthetics, and they stand up to rough treatment. Going fully synthetic also opens up a wide color range. Fish it in fresh or salt water for musky, bass or trout. On size 4/0 and larger, add a bucktail collar just behind the head dubbing. Tied here on a size 1/0 hook.
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Materials
Flash 'N Slinky, anchovy, for the lower body
Anchovy
Flash 'N Slinky, dark purple, for the back
Dark purple
Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow, for coating the head
Permanent marker, purple, for bars on the head
Purple
How to Tie the Alpha Predator
- 1
Step 1
Start the white thread on the hook and lay a smooth base along the shank, ending a little behind the middle of the shank.
- 2
Step 2
Pull a bunch of anchovy Flash 'N Slinky from the hank and tie it on top of the shank near its middle, so half of it points forward. Fold the forward half back over the hook bend and bind it down.
- 3
Step 3
Add more anchovy bunches the same way until the lower body has the depth you want, stroking the fibers back as you go.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in a bunch of dark purple Flash 'N Slinky the same way, on top of the anchovy, for the back of the fly.
- 5
Step 5
Tie in strands of purple and black Holographic Flashabou over the body, fold them back and bind them down so the flash runs through the fibers.
- 6
Step 6
Turn the fly over in the vise, work a little UV resin into the thread wraps and cure it with a UV light.
- 7
Step 7
Tie in the pearl Palmer Chenille just ahead of the body and wrap a short collar. Tie it off, trim the excess and stroke the fibers back.
- 8
Step 8
Tie a bunch of purple Senyo Laser Yarn Dubbing on top of the shank ahead of the collar with the fibers pointing forward, then fold it back and bind it down.
- 9
Step 9
Turn the fly over and tie in cream Bruiser Blend Dubbing the same way for the underside of the head.
- 10
Step 10
Whip finish behind the eye and trim the thread. Stroke the head fibers back and pinch them into a slim head shape.
- 11
Step 11
Set one Fish Skull Living Eye on each side of the head and lock them in place with Loon UV Clear Fly Finish Thick. Cure with the UV light.
- 12
Step 12
Coat the head with Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow, turning the fly in the vise so the coat stays even, then cure it.
- 13
Step 13
Add a touch of Thick resin at the nose to smooth the thread wraps behind the eye and cure it.
- 14
Step 14
If you like, draw bars across the top of the head with a purple marker.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxb4L6nzmog
Credit: Cheech / Fly Fish Food