Working with Rabbit III: Bonker Zonker by Will Mullis Read the other articles in this series Working with Rabbit I: Bunny Leech Working with Rabbit II: Double Bunny "Bonker Zonker" is a clever name given to this fly by one of the members of the Fly Tying Forum, but I do not claim to be the originator of this pattern (I'm sure it has existed for a long time.) This pattern is simply a variation on the traditional Zonker which, in my opinion, is slightly easier to tie and just as effective. It also incorporates lead eyes which forces the fly to ride hook-up, making the fly less likely to snag in the rocky streams that I frequent. As with the other flies in this series this fly is a simple pattern, and can be tied very quickly in an unlimited variety of colors and sizes to match any fishing situation that you might encounter. Materials You Will Need: Hook: Mustad 9674 (Size 4 in this tutorial.) Weight: Painted Lead Eyes Body: Pearl Ice Chenille (also known as "cactus chenille" and "estaz".) Tail and Wing: Rabbit Strip Step 1: Tie the lead eyes to the top of the hook shank. Be sure to leave enough room between the lead eyes and the eye of the hook to tie in your rabbit strip. Wind the thread back to the barb of the hook. Step 2: Flip the hook upside down in the vise. Determine the length of the tail by making it about the length of the hook shank. Pierce the rabbit strip with your hook at the point that was measured for the tail. Step 3: Take the hook out of the vise and slide the rabbit strip around the bend to the thread. Put the hook back in the vise; continue to keep the hook upside down. Step 4: Tie in the ice chenille and then advance the thread to the point right behind the lead eyes. Step 5: Wrap the chenille up the hook shank. Be sure to stroke the fibers back with each wrap to avoid the fibers being trapped with the next wrap. Step 6: Tie off the chenille right behind the eyes, trim any excess and then advance the thread to in front of the eyes. Step 7: Pull the rabbit strip over the body and in front of the lead eyes. Make sure the strip is pulled tight. Split the hair on the strip at the tie in position and then secure the strip in place with several wraps of thread. Step 8: Trim the excess strip and then build the head with thread.   Hatches Magazine Subscription Price: $6.95 for each issue The Premiere issue is ready for shipping & the Fall 2008 issue will be available September 1st.