The Louisiana Spoon Fly, Cajun Style
Of the endless assortment of flies that are tied to catch
Red Fish, nothing comes close to challenging the Spoon Fly.
The fly was developed and originally designed by Jon Cave,
a former guide and writer from Florida. This fly is excelled
by none other. Jon's original design is called the Cave's
Wobbler, and wobble or flutter it does.
It was at the the Federation of Fly Fishers Conclave in Ashville,
NC. when I learned of the Wobbler. I attended Jon's seminar
and near the end he showed slides and spoke of a fly that
Red Fish couldn't resist. My eyes were glued to the projection
screen hoping he would linger a  bit
longer before changing slides. As I desperately wanted the
opportunity to study this creation more, while he spoke vaguely
about the tying instructions. Prior to that day I had attempted
unsuccessfully to build a "Spoon Fly" on numerous occasions.
I even tried molding an epoxy prototype from a Johnson Spoon,
which after hours of work failed miserably. For one long year
from the apocalyptic event at Ashville until the next Federation
of Fly Fishers Conclave held that year in Haynes City, Florida,
I tried continuously to knockoff Jon's fly from what I'd seen
and learned at Jon's presentation. Every attempt was finalized
in failure. But being a persistence sort, I never thought
of giving up. I had seen the fly. It existed. Someone was
able to build a fly that closely represented a Johnson Spoon.
It was proven that the feat could be accomplished, and I was
determined to do it. Several weeks prior to the next year's
Federation Conclave in Haynes City, Florida, I called Jon
and told him of my determination to build the fly. He graciously
offered to have his good friend, Dexter Gary, demonstrate
the procedures for me at the Haynes City Conclave. With Dexter's
instruction, the evolution of the best Cajun Red Fish fly
had commenced.
Given time, coupled with the minds and hands of others who
sit at the vice and aspire to catch more fish, this fly has
evolved in many variations to fit the fancy and requirements
of different fishermen and various environments.
The Spoon Fly, as we call it, has evolved into a relatively
easy to cast fly. It possesses a frantic wobble/flutter, flashes
like fire, and manages to swim through the lush vegetation
and fertile muddy bottoms for which southern Louisiana is
known. It manages to do all this while riding hook point up!
Most important of all, if presented properly Mr. Red is unable
to resist it's allure! This little fly has been credited for
catching numerous species of fish, even Brown Trout.
In the following pages I will attempt to describe the tying
processes in a clear and concise manner. While this fly is
not easy to build, it is worth every bit of patience and perseverance
necessary to accomplish the task. The only ones that won't
be glad that you put forth the effort to learn are the Redfish
that fall prey to it. :<)
Materials List:
- Mustad 34007 (size 1)
- Large Lead Wire
- Strong Thread
- Large Mylar Tubing
- Tooth Picks
- Five Minute Epoxy
- Thirty Minute (Slow Cure) Epoxy
|
