Chain Gang - Creature

Have been searching around for mayfly nymph (hexagenia) patterns and came across a - chain gang stonefly nymph - that really caught my eye. So i got to messing around on my lunch break today...

1/64oz. - #8 Hook

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I thought the hardest part would be to attach the bead chain to the hook, boy was i WRONG! That was pretty simple - i smashed and took off the last 'bead' but left the 'chain' attached to the rest so there was a chain link sticking out of the last bead. Simply lashed the end chain section on the hook. Tied the rest of the body... dubbed mid-section, hackle neck, raffia back casing - no problem. Then i tried to put those 3 little silicone tail sections on the end of the bead chain - THAT gave me the headache. :beat-up: Just getting the thread started required overhand knots since the 'chain' spins freely. The only way i could wrap thread at all was to use hand whip knots, and that was how i tied in the silicone. Oh.... and plenty of glue! 3 hands would have made it a little bit easier. I was happy with the end result, but doubt i will be tying a dozen any time soon...... well maybe, have to see what the fish think first.

Cool design Russ..

nicely done!

Now that is very innovative AF ! I'm afraid beyond these old fingers. Well done!

Thats weird My mom just gave me a bunch of that type of chain cuz she didnt know what to do with it... I was thinking of doing the same type of thing but haven't made up my mind of what yet lol... nice job!

Sweet.... I like!

WOW, Thats cool.

a great way to tie a fly onto a jig and giving it your own flavor

Thanks for the comments. :jig:

Mack - Do a Yahoo! search for a clouser fly pattern... bead chain is used ALOT to make eyes and add a little weight on fly patterns. Just about any fly can be fished above a jig (if your regs allow more than one hook on a line) by putting a loop knot in your main line.

Wow, that's awesome Russ. It looks like that took a while.

What an interesting tie! Great work AF.

That is possibly the most unique jig I've seen in a very long time . Good job.

SUPERB TIE!!! That is a great looking mayfly nymph pattern that will also have great lifelike wiggle action. Will surely prove a deadly pattern drifted below a float through current for trout/steelhead or jigged for panfish while mayflies are emerging.

I came across that 'Chain Gang Stonefly' pattern as well and gave it a go but didn't accomplish nearly the success that you have with the tie. Like you mentioned, it was extremely difficult to tie the tail onto the back of the bead chain. It was a very difficult tie for me but I do love the wiggle action it gives to nymphs. I will have to try it in jig form as you have done.

Also, since mayfly nymphs have wide-set bulging eyes, I have always used bead chain eyes when I have tyed mayfly nymph patterns. You may want to try that with your chain gang creature pattern to make it an even more realistic looking mayfly nymph pattern.

John