The Popsicle was created by George Cook in the 80’s. It belongs to a group of patterns he created called the Alaskabou Series. Among this group are the Volcano and the Blue Moon. These are flies that have been designed with the same fly tying system and are meant for catching Pacific salmon and st View more...The Popsicle was created by George Cook in the 80’s. It belongs to a group of patterns he created called the Alaskabou Series. Among this group are the Volcano and the Blue Moon. These are flies that have been designed with the same fly tying system and are meant for catching Pacific salmon and steelhead.These brightly coloured flies are attacked only because of irritation, since salmon and steelhead do not feed during their upstream run. Beyond the purpose that these flies were conceived for, this fly tying style can be adapted for other species and waters by using other colour combinations.This is an easy-to-tie fly that can be made just by having some quality marabou in different colours. They have great movement underwater, resembling a living organism. Catalogues and books often portray these flies tied on classic salmon hooks but they can be tied on any short shank hook with a big gape to prevent fowling (when the materials get stuck in the hook curve).I have chosen the Popsicle pattern due to its attractive colours, although for Patagonia the most effective colours would be black, brown and olive, combined with orange or red.
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List of materials
MaterialsHook: TMC7999 or similar, sizes # 2/4/6.Thread: 3/0, black.Wing: orange marabou feather wrapped to the hook shank, with a red marabou feather over, also wrapped.Flash: pearl flashabou strips to each side.Hackle: rooster or pheasant feather, dyed purple.
Steps
Step 1
Tie an orange marabou feather by its tip.
Step 2
Wrap the marabou feather along the hook shank.
Step 3
Tie some flashabou strips on each side.
Step 4
Tie the red marabou feather, by its tip as well.
Step 5
Wrap it along the hook shank.
Step 6
Tie the purple feather by its tip.
Step 7
Wrap the purple feather shaping it as a collar. Whip finish and cement.
