Short Takers

I'm more than a bit reluctant to "throw" out the term "Short-Takers". This is not just another slant on flies tied for low water. These flies evolved out of considerable frustration and determined ingenuity! Every angler has been there ... but on the off chance that someone hasn't I'll explain anyway.

Your long awaited, much anticipated trip to your dream river is here. Today the river is full. Above-average water levels with an abundance of prime fish to play.... The salmon gods are smiling on us ... or so it would seem.

You fish the entire afternoon for two lazy rises.... A glance over either shoulder immediately reveals that your buddies have had a similar fate. This scenario has played out far too often at this river, at this pool, and under these conditions.

An analysis of the rises reveals that the fish have been playing us - by coming up and nipping or nosing the backsides of our flies. We soon realize that these salmon never really had any intention of taking the fly in the first place. To them it's simply a game - they have been playing the fishermen.

Through the years we have come to know these fish as "Shortakers" because of their habit of rising to the surface merely for a ""look-see" and a laugh (at our expense) after which they glide to the bottom where they sit out the rest of the day.

When they return we will be ready....!!!!

The tying style for the "Short-Takers" Fly has evolved over a considerable time. We have been using them over the past 6-7 years in varying patterns. At different times, we have had moderate to great success using these flies. Most fly-tying patterns can be adapted to this style.

SHORT-TAKER TNL (Thunder N Lightning)

Thread

For my own flies I use Bennechi's 14/0 Black. Otherwise, Uni-thread 8/0 is fine. Bennechi is now very difficult to obtain. Should you find a supplier please let me know because my supplier no longer carries it . It is strong and can be untwisted in order to reduce the head size.

Hook

I recommend Tiemco # 7999 heavy wire and # 7998 light wire in size 4. That size hook is a full 3.75 cm. long. A brute to look at, but the salmon don't nip at this puppy. The fly, when finished, occupies the front 1/3 (or less) of the hook.

Tag

Round, gold, extra small Lagartan tinsel. Begin the tag 1.75 cm. from the front of the hook. Normal length.

Tail

Golden pheasant crest. Tied small.

Body

I use black embroidery cotton. It is cheap - 25-33 cents per skeen. It is 6-ply. Used as it is, 6 strands, is too bulky. It can be halved or you can use just 2 strands for small-bodied, dry flies. With this fly I use 3 strands and tie it in halfway down the fly and wind forwards to the front of the hook and then back over top of the first layer to the tail and back to the eye and tie off. Hopefully, and with practice, the body should now appear slightly tapered.

Rib

Round or oval gold small Lagartin tinsel. Five turns is the norm.

Throat

Small bunch of orange hackle under and a small bunch of Kingfisher blue hackle fibers over.

Wing

Take five pieces of orange Krystal Flash and tie to length of the body. A few turn of black thread and fold the excess flash back over itself so that you now have ten pieces of flash. Cut the last five pieces of flash to the length of the tail. Finish the wing with moose hair or some similar substance of your choice but remember to tie it reasonably short.

Head

I forgo the black head cement in favour of clear Celaire. My fly-tying buddies refer to clear Celaire as "liquid glass". Take the time to apply 5 or 6 coats - letting each coat dry thoroughly before the next one is applied. It is best to use different colour threads to tie the heads. Then the application of clear head cement results in beautiful, glossy heads for different flies.

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