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Popovics Bucktail Hollow Fleye (This ones called 'ol free eyes!)

Hook 3/0
Thread: Danville’s Flat Waxed Nylon Olive
Body: Bucktail White, Yellow and Olive topped with 6 strands of Peacock Herl
Eyes: What else? Thanks Rich

Construction:
1st tie: sparse tie of white at the bend of hook
2nd tie: sparse reverse tie of white to bottom and yellow to top of hook
3rd tie: sparse reverse tie of white to bottom and olive to top of hook
4th tie: slightly thicker reverse tie of white to bottom and olive to top of hook
5th tie: 6 strands of peacock herl to top
6th stage: Run under hot tap for 30s-1min
7th stage: Attach eyes when fully dry

This one is about 5” long,

Feel I “MIGHT” just be getting the hang of this pattern. This is my best one yet. Hope you like it.

cracking fly mate i am looking to tie someup here for pike (lakers) on a trip into the mountains in 8 weeks time.
Theyhave reports from divers of pike so big they wont dive there with out a cage anymore!!!!!
10wt it will be then.
Suprising thing is that the fly is so simple though so many variants can be used to make it longer shorter, wider ect.
Love the use peacock herl on the wing though.
What does it cast like?

What can i say, VERY NICE. great work,

Dai

How did you affix those splendid eyes?

Is that a Cox & Rawle Uptide Extra hook? The only thing you might want to consider is the hook rusting which will discolour your magnificent work which would be a crying shame....worth getting some stainless ones of a decent pattern! (that's assuming you can bring yourself to fish such a beautiful creation!)

Mike, I only cast this type of fly for the first time just over a week ago. They go out very easily, even into a breeze. Better than I imagined. I am using a Vision GT4 9# coupled with a Rio Outbound intermediate 9#. No problem casting these whatsoever. I have some large deceivers and baitfish patterns that are harder to cast out than these. The hooks these are tied on are not the best, being a bit heavy and borrowed from my bait fishing kit. I think if you are careful and select a light but strong hook it would be even easier. Something I intend to investigate.

For a floating line I have an old Lee Wulf Bass Bug taper WF9 that I used for years whilst pike fishing. It has a very exaggerated WF head. Although I have not tried these hollows on that line yet, I am confident it will be easy. Some of my shop bought pike flies are twice the size of these hollows and I can get those out......just about. This fly is smaller and of course has a hollow construction.

For me Popovics is the master at creating simple and effect patterns, the hollow design is no gimmick, it really is easy to cast these out. Like you say you can make them as thick or as thin as you like. They look fantastic in the water also. On a jerky stop/start type retrieve they seem to pulse in the water. It’s hard to explain, but they do look the part. I must say though, I have found this pattern very frustrating to tie, and getting two off the vice the same is a minor miracle for me at present.

You have some great Pike there Mike, hope you get a few. I think these flies are to pretty to chuck at Canadian Crocs though. Just rig up a chartreuse calf tail.......that’ll do it.

Thanks Dai, I am learning from some good people on here, I never listened at school all those years ago, but I am paying attention now.



I really cant remember what the hooks are, if there not Cox & Rawle, there something very similar. Really bought for lobbing sandeels into the surf, not tying flies. I run out of decent hooks so found myself raiding my bait fishing kit. I am not tying any more until I have more suitable hooks.

How did I attach the eyes? Good question. Basically a decent glob of 5 minute epoxy behind the eye and push it on, then some head cement applied with a bodkin around the edges. I have no idea if they will stay on or not, but they seem o.k. Just wanted to get a fly up for Richard really.

To be honest this pattern really needs those sexy Jungle cock eyes, but I could not resist putting them on. I think the eyes on this particular pattern may well affect how the fly breaths in the water being as they are stuck to the bucktail, we will see. They seem strongly attached though. Bug Bond or Gel probably a much better way to go. Still not got my gel yet

wow what type of bt are u useing?

i have stopped tieing all together

Hmmm ..I go away fro a while and this is what happens


Very good mate ..in fact excellent


Andy

Bearsden's finest
Stopped why?

Andy, thanks, was kinda hoping you would like them, as I really dont feel I can do any more with them for now. Not without seeing someone else do one anyway. Have got some glister sparkle dubbing coming, so I can dub the gaps between the next one.

time, work , work , work alarm clocks bla bla bla lol
shite bucktail too
just spent a pile of notes on materials will start back into it when they arrive

Stunning mate!!

The shape of that fly is perfect. It seems a shame to chuck it in the water..

Glad you are finding use for the eyes,its nice to see them on such a great fly

Cheers...Rich

the more i look at this, the more i envy you
did you buy it from one of the big names on sol?
no really, if it has to be one of the best shaped hollows i have seen
i have started smaller stuff recently for sea trout, will come back to this pattern soon

Many thanks for the comments lads