Panfish Flies/Poppers
Panfish flies and poppers offer the warmwater fly tier an opportunity to be creative with foam and sponge bodies. Popper bodies come pre-formed and made of hard, high density white foam. These bodies are slotted to take standard hooks and are usually available in hook sizes #1, #2, #4 and #8. The high density foam can often react unfavorably to lacquer based paints so it is advisable to use only acrylic paints.
Fly foam comes in flat sheets and can be easily cut into a variety of shapes to create spider and bug bodies. The foam is usually available in thicknesses of 1.5mm, 2mm and 3mm with color choices of black, chartreuse, orange, tan white and yellow. Pantone markers can be used to add color accents and doll eyes can be added for further effect. Sponge spiders and beetles are very effective on panfish especially on warmer spring days or at Sunrise and Sunset through out the summer.
Rubber legs are a big part of creating additional life-like movement in both poppers and sponge body creatures. Rubber legs are available in a host of colors, shapes and sizes/diameters. Use them not only for cosmetics but also to increase the fish catching quotient of your creation.
Deerhair Popper (Bumblebee Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC2302, Thread- Black 60, Tail- Yellow and black dyed hackle tips, Collar- Black dyed hackle wrapped as collar, Body - Spun and trimmed to shape dyed yellow deer hair with two small black deer hair bands evenly spaced.
Micro Popper (Frog Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC8089, Thread- Yellow 6/0, Tail- Dyed yellow deer hair with four white rubber legs tied extending straight back, Hackle- Dyed yellow and green wrapped as collar, Body- Foam popper body painted with white belly, green top with red accents, Legs- Two strands of white rubber legs inserted through hole made in side of body, Eyes- Painted yellow with black pupils.
Micro Slider (Chartreuse Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC8089, Thread- Black 6/0, Tail- Dyed red deer hair with two white rubber legs tied extending straight back, Hackle- Dyed black wrapped as collar, Body- Foam slider body painted chartreuse with three vertical black stripes on each side, Legs- Two strands of white rubber legs inserted through holes made in side of body forming an X, Eyes- Painted yellow with black pupils.
Sponge Spider (Black Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC2302, Thread- Fluorescent green flat floss, Underbody- Pearl-Olive Flashabou over tying thread, Body- Black sponge bug body, Legs- Black round rubber legs 4 strands making 8 legs, Eyes- Small yellow/black doll eyes glued on. Pattern designer: Dave Whitlock