For our famous tuna fishery, this is one fly that you definitely need.

The downside with this pattern is that after time epoxy will turn brown and it will lose that beautiful clear look that it gets when it is new. Bob Popovics says that you should tie up enough flies with epoxy for the month as they do not last for years without going brown.
 

Tying Instructions:

Step 1

Start tying thread one hook eye distance behind the hook eye and build up a smooth base to just over the hook point then return the thread back along the hook shank to a point one eye distance behind the hook eye. Tie in a 150mm length of yellow or pearl Diamondbraid. Return the thread to the starting point then wind the Diamondbraid along the hook shank in tight turns to the position over the barb and return to the starting point near the eye. The end result should be a shallow oval shape.

Step 2

Tie in a bunch of white Streamer or Ocean hair in the gap between the Diamondbraid and the eye of the hook but on top of the hook shank. Tie a bunch of coloured hair on top of the white hair and trim.

Step 3

Tie in an overwing to match the colour of the fly. Double over three to four strands of the Shimmerflash. Wind the clear monofilament lightly back over the Streamer hair to give the finished profile required. The wing should be at about a 10 degree angle to the hook shank. Whip finish and trim the thread. The monofilament helps to keep the wing materials aligned when the fly is on the fly rotator.

Step 4

Mix sufficient 5 minute Devcon epoxy to saturate the head of the fly. This will also bring out the highlights of the Diamondbraid gutsack. Spread the epoxy so that it achieves a baitfish profile and place it on a fly rotator.

Step 5

After the epoxy has set, attach a stick on eye to each side of the head and as close to the nose as possible so that the diameter of the eye fills the vertical height of the head. Only use small eyes so that the stick on eye is almost touching the hook eye. With a fine point red marker, paint a set of red gills on each side of the fly. Give the whole of the head a second coat of with 5 min. Devcon and place on a fly rotator until the epoxy sets.

Popular Colour Combinations: