Recently a FlyTyingForum member posted two flies, wanting to know if anyone knew what the pattern was made with. I have not checked the original post to see if an answer was ever found. I saw a material that is simply called Disco by Bernat. It is a floss/flash type of material, wound, like a chenille, but with the floss and flash strands projecting out at a 90-degree angle. Luck has it they are all on one side of the core. Like a hair hackle or a one-sided hackle feather. The strands do twist themselves around the core and it is no problem to manipulate them for a tier's needs.
What is Disco, by Bernat? This link will explain better than I might:
To tie the fly, I started with a Gamakatsu B10S hook to which I attached a weed guard, because I want to first try this fly for a Smallmouth trip I have planned, and to prevent the tail from fouling. The fly is simple: tail; rib; body; collar (wing.) The first step is to gather the necessary tools and materials.
Tools:
Small Bulldog spring-paper clip (clamp - the black triangular thing that hurts when you pinch your fingertip with it.)
Weighted dubbing-loop spinner.
Bodkin.
Bobbin, with strong thread.
Work horse or older scissors.
Vise.
Materials:
Thread: As mentioned, strong thread. The core of the "Disco" is fairly strong, thick and bulky, and ties in better with good tight wraps, which is why I also mentioned the choice of scissors.
Monofilament weed guard: Your choice. I used a 21-pound piece of Rio Power Flex.
Hook: Again, your choice. I like the strength and sharpness of Gamakatsu, and thought the B10S, a “stinger” hook, would work great and add a little bit of weight to the fly.
Body Material: Body Braid is my choice of body material. You could use anything you like, or even just a plain thread body. A 12-inch or so length of "Disco" (for a one colour fly.)
Tying the fly:
First, tie on a weed guard. As I plan to fish for Smallmouth bass in the weeds and lilies, the weed guard will also help the tail from fouling.
Attach the mono at the midway point on the shank to deep in the bend, then back to about 2 eye-widths (spaces) back. This gives the hook shank a smooth, even surface, and allows for the collar to be attached closely to the shank instead of over built-up materials, making the fly stronger.
The tail is tied in like marabou, near the eye of the hook. I wound the thread back about 4 or 5 wraps. To make the tail, take the bulldog clip and attach it to one end of the Disco strand, then put the dubbing spinner in one of the clamp's handles.
Grab the strand about 6 inches up from the clamp and dubbing spinner. Then spin the spinner/clamp twice. Remove the spinner/clamp and hold the strand with outstretched fingers (can leave clamp on.)
Fold the strand to where your thumb and finger is holding it, up from the bottom. Hold everything tight until the two folded strands are of the same length. Then, let go of the bottom of the fold. The two strands will twist together.
Now - draw everything down to form the tail. Attach the tail where the thread was hanging, like adding a marabou tail; wind rearward over the tail to where the hook bend begins.
The rest is straightforward tying, and up to you how you want to dress the rest of the pattern.
As the next steps show with a rib of Disco yarn, like a hackled bugger-type fly and body braid or, as the original fly that was posted in FTF, with a slim body and collar, like a bait fish.
Attach the rib and body braid. Spiral wrap the rib forward, stroking all the strands rearward. When you reach about 2 eye-widths back make a complete turn of the rib, and then start back-to-back turns of the rib, which is now the collar, toward the eye of the hook -- leaving enough room to secure the weed guard.
Tie off the collar, but do not clip the excess tag of the disco yarn rib/collar. With the tag tied off directly on top of the hook, fold it back and tie it down to form a wing. Clip the core so that the strands of the wing are the same length as the collar. The same thing can be done when a different colour rib is used before the collar is added. Tie off the weed guard and tying thread, and coat the head.
The bodkin is used to pluck any fibers that were trapped while spinning the tail or winding the rib or collar.
Here is the finished fly...The Disco Leech. The Bernat Disco yarn can be found at craft stores, WalMart, etc. I have not fished this fly but feel confident it will work. The next time you think that "disco" is a thing of the past, try out this material!
Good Tying. Good Luck!
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