The Booby is a relatively recent addition to the flyfishers arsenal. The original patterns were tied using polystyrene balls tied together in the mesh from ladies tights and tied in at the eye of the hook. The way they wobbled about was how the fly acquired its name. Their other main disadvantage was that if you applied varnish to the head and some got on the polystyrene it was only a question of time before either one or both ‘deflated’.
The fly had proved so successful on the stillwaters, particularly for rainbows, that some enterprising angler came up with booby tube which could be supplied in various lengths and was not damaged by varnish.
That is the material we have used on the demo.
The variations on colour of head, chenille, cactus chenille or the marabou tail is limited only by the imagination of the tyer. Green and white and orange and white are favourites.
The ‘fly’ is usually fished with a sinking line. Once the line has settled on the lake bed the booby will be floating above it at the height of the leader. You can be lazy and sit there and wait for a rainbow to cruise by and take the fly, or you can retrieve your line in long pulls, allowing time between for the fly to lift back up to its original height. As you pull the line the booby is drawn to the lake bed.
In recent years the competition fishers use boobies to fish the ‘washing line’ method. Usually, I believe, with an intermediate line. The booby is fished on the point and 2 droppers with nymphs or buzzers on the cast. This method is used to explore different depths where the fish are feeding.
I do not believe our American friends have discovered this ‘fly’ yet despite their Dolly Parton probably being responsible for its name.
If you like sitting on the bank and taking it easy this fly might be worth a try. It has accounted for some big fish.
Materials
- Hook long shank 10 / 8
- Body orange chenille fritz
- Tail orange marabou
- Head plastazote tube orange or white
- Tying silk orange
- Tail flash optional
- Please note color variations are optional ( white /green -- black / green )
Regards
Dave Cammiss and The Team
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Hi Dave
I have just across your website and feel it is wonderful and very educational!
I have been tying for many years, I am self tought, originally from John Goddard’s book, “Super Flys of Still water”. Interestingly, I personaly find my half hitch with the open point on the scissors is much faster and you don’t have to cut the thread until the fly is finished.
Keep up the good work!
Carl
Hello Dave i was wondering if you could do one on a popper? I make them out of cork the old way but i don’t know if its right. You have tought me alot and i like watching you tie flies. When people ask me were i learned i tell them about your site and thats were i learned keep up the excellent work try to do a popper. Thanks
The Green Reel Man
Edward Dowell
dave we need more videos
Hi Mayfly
sorry about the lack of flies, I have my hands full dealing with the estate of the the late great Mick Gollop, a friend for over 55 years. His views on fishing? I quote ‘ use a bleeding hand grenade mate.’
My bunker( flytying den) is like an ice box at present and is full of all the gear from the adjoining room which is being refitted.
Dont worry ‘I will be back’
DaveC. and the Team
Hello Dave and thanks for the advise for the balsa wood on the poppers i have some on order hope it works. Can you do a vidio on a popper with balsa? Visit my website at http://www.greenreelman.webs.com Thank You and keep up the excellent work
The Green Reel Man
hi m8 been tying for 20 years and really enjoyin your web page .have picked up a few hints keep up the good work
I’m from British Columbia and fish out stillwaters for trout. The Booby is used by some of use here and in my view it is one of the best flies around. I use primarily black “boobs” but white is also very effective.
Hi, Dave, I am having trouble finding cheap “booby tubes” can you cut your own, if so what with.
Hi Calum
good to hear from you. Booby tubes should be easy to find on the internet.
Steve Parton sells blocks( 6″x 4″) under the name of plastazote in various colours. There are tools available to attach to electric drill to cut out cylinders. I have been using a cut up piece out of an old car aerial for years. Not as good as drill but adequate for my needs.
I only have a very old price list which I use for reference.
I think his e-mail is spartonfly@btconnect.com. He is loud, abrupt but can be helpful. He is running the business down.
Hope this helps
Dave C
would like to order the plastazote tubes. do you have a websight for them.
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