In thinking of other twists in your FSB pattern I had envisioned wrapping a thin (widthwise) section of foam on the hook shank, sliding some mylar minnow body over the top, and then lashing some layers of crystal flash on top for a decent floating candlefish/baitfish type pattern. I couldn't come up with any suitable foam in my pile of materials to give the idea a test drive though.

Coley,
So basically you are thinking of palmering a thin strip of foam over the entire hook shank then covering it with mylar tubing, correct?
SF

Another old school trick is to use aluminum can material cut to baitfish shape / size before sliding over the Mylar body tubing. Lash the aluminum straight to the hook shank. It won't float, but it's a killer sub surface pattern that is very light and structurally tough.

Nick,
You can accomplish something similar by using Fleye Foils then covering them with a UV Cure.
It doen't quite give the shape you describe but they are easy to make and super durable compared to mylar tubing.
http://www.wetahook.net/styled/index.html

Here is a baitfish I tied using a Sand Eel foil.

Nice. +1

Hey John,
Don't tarpon like flies with big eyes?
Have you seen these? I just stumbled upon these while looking for some other materials. I hadn't ever seen these before.
http://www.anglersworkshop.com/fly-tying/materials/beads/flat-eyes.html

You can adhere the Living or 3D eyes to them.
http://www.anglersworkshop.com/fly-tying/materials/beads/living-eyes.html
http://www.anglersworkshop.com/fly-tying/materials/beads/oval-pupil-3-d-eyes.html
http://www.anglersworkshop.com/fly-tying/materials/beads/fishize.html

They look pretty light which might work if you need some slightly weighted patterns.

Mylar over foam FSB 2.2
Thoughts?????

its jonas......

.........thougtss

looks like somebody twisted up a pinner.....

'.. and is trying to light it with a sparkler

Thanks Jonas.
Pinners and sparklers....good combo.
Thinking about it last night while sitting by the space heater, I decided to remove the tail. It didn't look right with the junction tubing and that would have weigh heavily on me during my bike ride to the canal this morning.
I'll need lots of whiskey to warm up after I'm done fishing today. I hope you have the lodge well stocked.
SF

Definately the most interesting fishing related thread on this site in months. I have been checking in daily and I don't flyfish. Thanks guys.

I did a bit of FSB beta testing today.
Version 2.0 hooked up three fish. Version 2.2 drew a skunk. It needs more foam.
Got a really nice fish on the sparse chartreuse head popper I posted earlier.
Sorry for the fuzzy moon shots.
SF

Yes! The FSB getting it done! Very cool.

John
Been hitting the canal. Areas around small creeks have been good.
Lots of size variety in the fish which is good to see.
A few post spawn fish in the mix but many healthy fat looking non spawners.
Chum fry should get going soon.

BU,

What, you want me to take pictures of the sample fly patterns I bought at the fly fishing show a couple weekends ago? What I posted previously is the entirety of my steelhead fly box. Well I could photograph the Baker's dozen that Coley sent me. Haven't lost any of those yet, altho I had to replace a straightened hook on one after last Sunday's outing.

Sg

Pile o' Prom Dresses fresh off the vice and headed for the mail box.







Got bling?

Wow, nice.
Reminiscent of a Saturday afternoon in October.

Charles, will something like this work for your Orange Heron's?



First attempt at working with the real thing. I like it.

Hey Brian, how would this work as an FSB type pattern? Seems to float OK in the sink at least.



White fly foam wrapped on the shank under mylar minnow body. I wanted to put one of those bubble/gurgle heads on the front but didn't have any handy. I might try something like this in the spring as the fry tend to travel at or near the surface.

Good deal. I'll twist up a handful and send em your way.

Coley,
I like the floater. That will hunt.
The one I posted earlier needed more foam. I only had small Mylar so I had to go thin on the foam. It sank pretty good....;)
Nice work on the pd's as well.

I put the FSB on a diet. I used some thinner foam and painted the back with black glitter nail polish.
The beta test today resulted in eight takes but only one fish to hand. Good that they like it but I'm wondering about the hook placement. Might try just tying some on a hook versus a tube to see if the fish stay buttoned better.
Here is a comparison picture of the two.
SF