The Corroboree Chihuahua

So here's the tying method for the 'gun' fly on the last foray into the freshwater at Corroboree Billabong
 (see Freshwater prep comp outing)

First all - here are the flies I tied for the comp prep trip to Corroboree

For the prep trip I had mostly tied size2 clousers with weedguards in various colours yellow on white, pink on green, black on orange, some smaller weed-guarded black gurlgers with rubber legs red and  rabbit strip tails. Lastly on the left of image are the so called "Corroboree Chihuahua" type fly (with no weed guards) - think the name has something to do with it being small with attitude!

See the link to blog entry in the intro sentence at top for a trip report to see why all of a sudden this smallest fly of those tied - is my go to fly in Corroboree for the next few trips (till next "saviour" fly comes along anyway)

This recent fly, the "Olive Chihuahua", got me five species on my last sojourn to freshwater - including ten toga above 35cm, with one going 61cm, and a few more under 35cm we didn't count.  It caught three barra (if small) and had others chasing it. It also caught a large number of 35-45cm tarpon - solid thick shouldered fish. This after drawing a blank with other more trusted and tried flies for the first three hours of the trip.

Now in any comp when you don't have to change flies to catch different species it means more time with a fly in the strike zone (that is maybe hooking a fish!) - which has to be to the fly fishers benefit during "lines in" when participating in a competition! Plus any fly that can catch most of the species in the billabong is a "GOOD" fly!

Better still, it is a simple fly with only a few materials. I stuck to all olive colours but Peter's favourite of orange tail and black collar (and the reverse) would work just as good - well for Peter anyway!

This is basically a beadchain nymph come damsel nymph type pattern
Now to tying method I use but feel free to tie it anyway you want






So firstly - a bed of thread on a really sharp size 4 hook













Next is bead chain eyes tied in behind the hook eye
















Next is  tuft of marabou to form tail - leave butts attached
















These marabour butts - I fold down along body













Then I use some Emu herl

Which is tied in butt first

This hackle is wound behind bead chain to form a collar. The emu herl is stiff with plenty of fluff on each barbel

Then I shape a "V" out of 24 kilo mono to form the weedguard - cut it a touch too long when making the "V" - that is before you tie it in - then trim once tied in, just a bit longer than hook point.









This weedguard I tie in in front of the bead chain, adding a touch of nail polish to the thread tie off point to give it more durability

And that is it - go get it wet - right in the lilies~!!!   

Enjoy!