Floyd Franke's Lake Erie Shiner
This is an outstanding streamer. The first time I saw one was at one of the big flyfishing shows in Somerset, NJ. Mr. Franke has a table and a few of these flies were on display. What struck me first was that body – the pearl over white is fantastic. The mixed colors in the wing add to the realism of the fly. I like this one a lot. Note: The original fly calls for a throat of light blue hackle barbs underneath the white bucktail, extending to the middle of the belly.
Tying instructions:
- Using white Uni-stretch as a thread (in a bobbin), tie in behind the eye and wrap a smooth body the length of the hook shank. Tie off with olive thread.
- Tie in a length of pearl mylar tinsel and overwrap the white body in a double layer (wrap from eye to bend and back).
- Tie in a very sparse belly of white bucktail (leave the hairs unstacked). The belly should reach the hook bend, or just beyond. Don't make this too long.
- Tie in a sparse layer of olive bucktail on top of the hook shank, as long as the belly.
- Tie in a few strands of pearl or olive krystal flash, reaching nearly the end of the wing.
- Tie in a sparse layer of olive-brown bucktail (I used the brown part of my olive dyed bucktail).
- Build a neat head with the olive thread. Whip finish and trim.
- Seal the head with a thin penetrating head cement.
- Using dowels or nails or whatever, dab lacquer or enamel paint on the sides of the head to form eyes, yellow with black pupils.
- Cover the head with a couple coats of head cement or varnish.