Sand Eel Teaser

[EHLawyer]

While not a fly fisherman (yet!), I have been tying teasers for a season nowwith a fair amount of success. Tons of sand eels on the East End of LI this fall and I have caught a lot of nice stripers on this teaser which is a modification of a surf candy..........epoxy has held up to the few bluefish around. Newcomer to SOL as well and just wondering what you real fly tyers think:

[The Fisherman]

I think what we think is a distant second to what what the stripers think. And according to you, they have already reacted favorably to your work.
:-)

[rplace]

Nice tie and an interesting color combo. If the fish like it that's all that really matters.

[EHLawyer]

It is very rewarding to catch a fish on something you make.............but also nice to have experienced tyers say a kind word or two. Thanks.

[M. saxatilis]

If you tied that fly and asked what I thought - I would tell you to taper the back end. Since you are telling me you are having success on that fly and asking me what I think - I say tie more like them and keep on keeping on!

As others - If it catches then that's what works.

[EHLawyer]

I haven't been very successful tapering the ends of my teasers. This one was a little more tapered when made, but looks less so after some fish got into it...I'm assuming that curved scissors would help with tapering.

[King Cod]

Very Nice work.... and the Striped Bass like it!!! WHo cares what I think!!!

[nightbite1012]

nice teaser. You should think about adding a small piece of E-Z Body under the epoxy. It gives it a really nice scale like look. Thats only if the fish get hip to your patern.

[EHLawyer]

Thanks for the advice. I have some ez body but have never used it. Will try it. Have now switched to a green and white teaser since the bass here on the east end have been hooked, so to speak, on diamond jigs with green tube. Picture to follow.

[bassbudda]

The Sand Eel Is Nicely Tied. I Especially Like The "electric/royal Blue" As A Lateral Line. Many Of The Sand Eels I've Found Trapped In Shallow, Rocky, Tide Pools Have That Same Coloration.

I Agree That The Fly Should Be Tapered. I Learned From An Old Timer Long Ago "nothing In Nature Is Square".

You May Consider Wrapping The Body W/ 12-15 Lb Mono To Create A Scale Effect; Then Apply Epoxy.

Good Tying,

Gw :d

[flytyingguy1]

Looks good for a new tyer. Experiment with different colors & tappering your materials. Also I would recommend you get a Fly Dryer or make one.You will see how the heads dry evenly . IMO I think a dryer is one of the most important tools a fly tyer can have when using epoxy & other liquid head cements,ETC.

[EHLawyer]

All excellent advice...............particularly looking forward to wrapping with mono for scale effect. Rain and wind for the next few days on the East End of LI gives me plenty of time.

[flysully]

Originally Posted by EHLawyer

I haven't been very successful tapering the ends of my teasers. This one was a little more tapered when made, but looks less so after some fish got into it...I'm assuming that curved scissors would help with tapering.

Anvil makes a "taperizer scissor" available at all fly shops as well as online for about $25. It does a very good job of tapering synthetic, not natural, fly tying materials, and much better than "curved scissors" which will curve but not THIN.

Hope this helps.

[flytyingguy1]

Originally Posted by flysully

Anvil makes a "taperizer scissor" available at all fly shops as well as online for about $25. It does a very good job of tapering synthetic, not natural, fly tying materials, and much better than "curved scissors" which will curve but not THIN.

Hope this helps.

Some of the best scissors I have found & used I got on E-bay. Surgical SS at a price you can't beat with a stick! I bought a dozen for less than 1 in the Fly Shop!!