Fly Tying Inventory
Slush Rocket
Cheech named the Slush Rocket after the frozen juice and Sprite drink his mother mixes every Thanksgiving. It is a two-hook articulated streamer in which each part moves its own way. The rabbit strips and buggy chenille behind the collar make the fly wiggle when stripped, and the wound marabou collar up front has plenty of flow. It works in many colors and sizes, and this tan and lilac version has fished well on rivers near his home. Tied here on size 2 and size 1 hooks.
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Materials
Core C2461 Long Shank Aberdeen Hook, size 2, for the rear section (or TMC 5262, size 6)
2
Core C2461 Long Shank Aberdeen Hook, size 1, for the front section (or TMC 5262, size 4)
1
Polychrome Rabbit Strips, Tan/Pale Purple/Pale Rust #6, one for each section (or tan rabbit zonker strips)
Tan, pale purple and pale rust
Large Flexi Squishenille UV, tan #369, for both sections (or Large Badger Flexi Squishenille UV, tan)
Tan · Large
Chicone's Crusher Legs, purple barred clear, regular, on the rear section (or brown barred clear)
Purple barred clear · Regular
Tungsten Beads - Crackle, 7/32 inch (5.5mm), Fl. Pink/Black #138, on the front hook (or plummeting tungsten bead, metallic purple)
Fl. pink and black · 7/32 inch (5.5mm)
Small 3D Beads, fuchsia #147 and brown #40, on the wire (or 3D Articulation Beads, fuchsia and chocolate brown)
Fuchsia and brown · Small
Fish Hunter Premium Strung Marabou, Fl. Lilac (UV) and Sculpin Tan (UV), for the front collar
Lilac and tan
How to Tie the Slush Rocket
- 1
Step 1
Mount the size 2 rear hook and lay a thread base back to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in a rabbit strip at the bend, leaving a long section extending past the hook as a tail and the other end free for now.
The strip and the soft chenille on this section are what give the fly its wiggle when stripped.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in the Squishenille by one end at the same spot. Wind it forward in touching turns, stroking the fibers back, and tie it off behind the hook eye.
- 4
Step 4
Pull the free end of the rabbit strip forward over the top of the body, tie it down behind the hook eye and trim the excess.
- 5
Step 5
Tie in the legs at the front of the rear body so they trail back along the sides. Trim them to length.
- 6
Step 6
Whip finish, trim the thread and take the rear section out of the vise.
- 7
Step 7
Slide the tungsten bead onto the size 1 front hook, mount the hook and start the thread behind the bead.
- 8
Step 8
Tie the wire along the shank. Slide on the fuchsia and brown beads, pass the wire through the eye of the rear hook, and bring the end back through the beads to the shank.
- 9
Step 9
Bind both legs of the wire down firmly along the shank and trim the excess. Check that the rear section swings freely.
- 10
Step 10
At the back of the front hook, tie in a second rabbit strip so its tail lies back over the joint, then tie in a second length of Squishenille at the same spot.
- 11
Step 11
Wind the Squishenille forward, stopping short of the bead to leave room for the collar. Pull the rabbit strip forward over the top, tie it down and trim the excess.
- 12
Step 12
Tie in a lilac marabou feather by the tip and wind it as a collar, stroking the fibers back with each turn. Tie it off and trim the stem.
- 13
Step 13
Add a tan marabou feather the same way, so the two colors mix in a full collar behind the bead.
- 14
Step 14
Build a small thread collar behind the bead, whip finish and trim the thread.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKbudpXtyi0
Credit: Cheech / Fly Fish Food