Silversides

Hook: #2 to 1/0 Mustad 92611 saltwater hook with offset straightened
Body: Silver prism tape and "clear" holographic film ("Funky film") coated with epoxy
Eyes: Gold holographic eyes
Wing: Crimped mylar tinsel topped with peacock herl
Tail: White marabou and continuation of mylar and peacock herl

Instructions: Fold a piece of silver mylar prism tape over the hookshank. Trim it along the bottom of the hookshank and trim the top to a fish shape. Over this apply by folding over it a piece of "clear" holographic film ("Funky Film" found in craft and hobby stores). Trim the top to the same profile as a the silver prism tape and the bottom to the appropriate silhouette for a silversides. Attach a tail of white marabou just before the hook shank. For the wing tie in 6-10 strands of crimped mylar tinsel topped with 4-6 strands of peacock herl at the head of the fly. Tie the mylar tinsel and peacock herl down at the point where the marabou is tied in for the tail so that the mylar tinsel and peacock herl follow the top contour of the fly. Add the gold holographic eyes (I make them with a hole punch and a black paint pen). Coat the body and the portion of the wing above the body with 5-minute epoxy and rotate while curing.

This is the most realistic version of a silversides fly I've been able to make so far. - MSD

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