White Eyed Rabbit Zonker
Here is a recipe I came up with for a freshwater bass fly, which works amazingly well as a fast moving minnow imitation and as a slow moving bottom dweller. You choose how you want to work it. It’s essentially a merger of my mylar minnow pattern and the well-known zonker fly. This fly has been extremely productive for me lately, and is well on its way to becoming my new favorite bass pattern. 8-)
Materials
- Hook – Gamakatsu SS15 – Size 1
- Thread – White
- Rabbit Zonkers – White
- 1/4” Flexi-cord – Pearl/Silver
- 1/8” Yellow Stick-on Eyes
- Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails Adhesive
- Dave’s Flexament
- 30# Monofilament Line
- .020 Lead Wire (optional)
Begin by enlarging the hook gap slightly.
Place the hook in your vise and start the thread as shown. For this particular tie, I prefer to hide the hook point within the jaws, to prevent accidentally snagging the thread.
This next step is optional. If you’re fishing deeper water or want a faster sink rate, wrap the hook shank with lead wire. For this tie, I want a slower descent, so you won’t see the lead windings going forward.
Next, cut an inch long piece of the #30 mono and tie in a loop above the hook bend. This will help prevent the tail from catching on the hook point while casting.
Tie off and brush with Hard as Nails.
Cut a rabbit zonker strip about the same length as the hook. Tie in above the mono loop, making sure that the natural lay of the fur is from front to back.
Secure the thread and brush with Hard as Nails.
Cut a section of flexi-cord about the length of the hook shank and place over the hook.
Cinch down the tail end of the mylar tube and wrap several times. Secure with a whip knot.
Once again coat the threads with Hard as Nails.
Cut another rabbit strip the same length as the mylar tube.
Making sure that the natural lay of the fur is front to back, tie in the back end of the rabbit strip underneath the mylar. Be careful not to trap any of the hairs beneath the threads.
Whip finish and cut the thread, then coat with Hard as Nails.
Restart the thread just behind the hook eye.
Cinch down and wrap the front end of the mylar, just as you did earlier. Try to keep the hook eye clear, but don’t worry about any stray strands. They’ll be covered in upcoming steps.
Rotate your vise 180 degrees and spread a thin line of Flexament along the top edge of the mylar. I prefer Flexament on the body, because it will bend instead of crack when a fish crushes the mylar tubing, thereby prolonging the life of the fly.
Press the rabbit strip into the line of Flexament, then tie off the front end of the fur. Whip finish and cut the thread.
Coat the head with Hard as Nails.
Place a stick-on eye on each side of the mylar body.
Spread a thin layer of Flexament over each eye to help keep them in place.
Let dry and it’s finished.
Make a few more, then go catch something! ;)
Submitted by: HaMm3r
Date posted: 02/25/09
