Fly Tying Inventory
Flying Whale
A two-hook articulated streamer from Cheech of Fly Fish Food, made to stay simple right through the head, where many similar flies get fussy. A craft fur brush wraps on quickly and takes marker well, so the head can be shaded to match any color scheme. This version is the Sexy Shad in chartreuse, blue and gray, and there is also an olive and orange version with copper chenille. It is light enough to cast on a 6 weight, and it is usually fished on a sink tip line. Tied here on size 1 and 2 hooks.
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Materials
Umpqua XT350 Streamer hook, size 2, rear hook (or Daiichi 2461)
2
Gamakatsu B10S, size 1, front hook (or Fulling Mill FM6040 Streamer Stripper)
1
Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 6/0, fluorescent yellow (or fluorescent green)
Fluorescent Yellow · 6/0
Fish Hunter Premium Strung Marabou, Heron Gray (UV) (or Wapsi Strung Blood Quill Marabou, shad gray)
Heron Gray
Fish Hunter Premium Strung Marabou, fluorescent yellow chartreuse (UV) (or Wapsi Strung Blood Quill Marabou, fluorescent yellow)
Fluorescent Yellow Chartreuse
Fish Hunter Premium Strung Marabou, fluorescent blue (UV) (or Wapsi Strung Blood Quill Marabou, fluorescent blue)
Fluorescent Blue
Medium Badger Flexi Squishenille UV, white #375, for the rear body (or Medium Flexi Squishenille UV)
White · Medium
Fish Hunter Select Schlappen, Heron Gray (UV) (or fluorescent white)
Heron Gray
Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Classic Colors, black, 7/32" (5.5mm)
Black · 7/32" (5.5mm)
Senyo Intruder Trailer Hook Wire, gray, regular, for the connection between hooks
Gray · Regular
Large Badger Flexi Squishenille UV, white #375, for the front body (or Large Flexi Squishenille UV)
White · Large
Permanent fly tying markers, for shading the head
How to Tie the Flying Whale
- 1
Step 1
Mount the size 2 rear hook, start the fluorescent yellow thread and wrap back to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in a bunch of Heron Gray marabou at the bend for the tail, then trim the butts.
- 3
Step 3
Tie a bunch of fluorescent yellow chartreuse marabou over the gray, then a bunch of fluorescent blue over that.
- 4
Step 4
Add a sparse pinch of pearl Shimmerbou so it mixes through the marabou.
- 5
Step 5
Tie in the medium Squishenille and a Heron Gray schlappen feather in front of the tail. Wrap the chenille forward along the shank, stroking the fibers back. Tie it off and trim.
- 6
Step 6
Palmer the schlappen forward through the chenille, sweeping the fibers back with each turn. Tie it off, trim the stem, whip finish and cut the thread.
- 7
Step 7
Slide the black slotted tungsten bead onto the size 1 front hook and mount it in the vise with the bead about a third of the shank back from the hook eye. Start the thread behind the bead and wrap back along the shank.
- 8
Step 8
Run the wire through the eye of the rear hook, then slide a white articulation bead on. Bind the legs along the front shank and check that the rear section swings freely.
- 9
Step 9
Tie in a small bunch of fluorescent yellow chartreuse marabou at the rear of the front shank, then fluorescent blue over it. Add a little more Shimmerbou.
- 10
Step 10
Tie in the large Squishenille and a second schlappen feather. Wrap the chenille forward to the bead, then tie it off and trim.
- 11
Step 11
Palmer the schlappen forward through the chenille to the bead. Tie it off and trim the stem.
- 12
Step 12
Take the thread in front of the bead. Tie in the EP Craft Fur Brush there and wrap it forward to the hook eye, stroking the fibers back after each turn so they do not trap each other. Tie it off, trim the wire and whip finish behind the hook eye.
- 13
Step 13
Brush out the head and sweep the fibers back over the body.
- 14
Step 14
Shade the head with markers, keeping the color along the top of the fly and leaving the belly pale.
The head fibers take marker well, so match the shading to whatever baitfish you are after.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmPJvhDI9eo
Credit: Cheech / Fly Fish Food