 Striper Moon's the website of author, artist, flyfisherman, guide, and lecturer Ken Abrames. Ken's original thinking is rooted in classic design and technique. His vision is expansive and richly detailed, making our world just a little more like home. |
 Fly Tying Feature Archive:RLS Nine Three, R.L.S. Supervisor:
Here are two really good flies that have stood the test of time.
They are both New England flies that were created in the heyday
of Landlock salmon fishing in Maine. The patterns which follow are
adaptations of the originals for salt water. They were created to imitate
a baitfish that is similar to silversides called the rainbow smelt.
Smelt are found in the ocean and are found along the New England shoreline
in late fall and winter. Many people fish for them at this time and they are a common sight. These flies catch stripers extraordinarily well and they are fun to tie and beautiful to look at. They are both great surf flies. |
 |
 |
| Introduction to tying steps: To help those learning this for the first time, here is a very short introduction to the major steps. Ken's very clear and complete directions for tying the RLS Nine Three and RLS Supervisor follow this intro. | ||
| Sequence | What to do | Reason |
| Tail: step #1 "Platform" |
Place small amount of bucktail on aft portion of hook, spreading it to form a fan or broom shape. | This acts as a platform to support the saddle hackle tail, keeping it suspended so it will swim with the slightest touch of current. |
| Tail: step #2 "Pillow" |
Place small amount of dubbing (fluff or marabou off the end of a hackle) around the thread that is holding the bucktail in place and wrap it over the bucktail exactly where it begins to spread. | This forms a pillow or base to seat the stem of the first feather so it will stay in place and not twist when tied on. |
| Tail: step #3 "Support" |
Tie in a neck feather, curved or dull side facing up, directly on top of the pillow. This neck feather, strong and stiff, is taken from the center of any neck hackle of the right color. | This is a mechanical step that adds upward energy to the tail when tying larger flatwings with more layers of feathers and synthetics | .
| Tail: step #4 "Flatwings" |
Three feathers in this case, all tied flat or horizontally. The first should be the shortest of the three and have the curved or dull side facing down. This step is repeated for the second and third feathers, each often, but not always, being longer than the previous feather. | Flies tied according to these directions are extremely sensitive to lateral pressure and the fly will shimmer and move side to side with every touch of current. This method of constructing flatwings is at the core of creating a fly that will suspend and swim. |
| Body | Often a wrap of colored mylar braid. | The body should reflect the appearance of whatever baitfish you are trying to imitate. |
| Forward part of fly |
The forward part of the fly might include a throat, collar, cheek, wing, topping, and/or eyes. | The forward part of the fly should reflect the appearance of whatever baitfish you are trying to imitate. |
Tying the RLS Nine Three: Introduction (you are here) Tying the RLS Nine Three: Complete step-by-step instructions Tying the RLS Supervisor: Complete step-by-step instructions |
