Sniper
No fly in my arsenal has produced such a variety of large fish for me as has the
Sniper. The Snipers resemble Woolly Buggers, but with the added benefit of
great breathing action in the water and a variety of different shades built
into each variation. A black marabou tail anchors most of them, followed by the
appropriately colored variegated chenille and dyed guinea hackle to sweep back
the length of the hook. Among my favorite variations are black sparkle
chenille/orange guinea (Halloween Sniper), variegated green sparkle
chenille/chartreuse guinea, and deep-blue sparkle chenille/deep-purple guinea.
The combinations are endless, and the myriad colors of the available materials
fuel the imagination. I prefer the fly to ride horizontally in the water, so I wrap lead wire on the hook rather than using a bead head.
A bead tied in at mid-hook will also work.
Sniper. The Snipers resemble Woolly Buggers, but with the added benefit of
great breathing action in the water and a variety of different shades built
into each variation. A black marabou tail anchors most of them, followed by the
appropriately colored variegated chenille and dyed guinea hackle to sweep back
the length of the hook. Among my favorite variations are black sparkle
chenille/orange guinea (Halloween Sniper), variegated green sparkle
chenille/chartreuse guinea, and deep-blue sparkle chenille/deep-purple guinea.
The combinations are endless, and the myriad colors of the available materials
fuel the imagination. I prefer the fly to ride horizontally in the water, so I wrap lead wire on the hook rather than using a bead head.
A bead tied in at mid-hook will also work.
Tying Steps
Step 1
Start by wrapping lead on the shank of the hook. Notice that I have left plenty of room for tying in materials at the rear behind the lead and also at the head for adding the guinea feather and finishing the fly.
Step 2
I next tie in the marabou tail. The marabou should be roughly the length of the shank of the hook. I have tied it in where the lead ends so the the body is even.
Step 3
I add a few fibers of the guinea to the tail just to add interest. A few strands of Krystal Flash would work as well.
Step 4
Tie in the Speckled Crystal Chenille at the rear of the hook and begin winding forward.
Step 5
Remember to leave room at the head!
Final
We are going to tie the guinea feather in by the tip.I will usually take 3 turns of the guinea and then tye it off. Don't be afraid to use other color combinations to change it up on the fish. Have fun!
