Rear Floating Squid
This week’s fly is a special one.
I tied the Rear Floating Squid – a brilliant Bob Popovics pattern. Bob changed the way a lot of us think about squid imitations (and flies, in general) and his work has inspired countless fly tyers. With his passing last year, I wanted to take extra care to do this pattern justice. Bold profile, perfect buoyancy, and that unmistakable Popovics flair. If you don’t already have his book “Fleye Design”, you should add it to your list!
You’ll spot some of my favorite Renomed tools throughout the tie. The FS5 scissors with their slightly longer blades handle bunches of deer hair easily and are perfect for larger dry flies or saltwater patterns. The FT4 tweezers are amazing for stripping feathers and clamping sections of material. We’re proud to have them sponsoring this video and a few more to come in the months ahead, because they share the same passion for craftsmanship that that we do, and I trust their tools implicitly.
Fly: Rear Floating Squid
Tied by: Erin Hyde
Originated by: Bob Popovics
Target Species: Striped bass
Materials:
- Hook (#4/0)
- Thread
- Monofilament
- Head (I used a flame-heated 3/4” leather cutter tool to push through the foam for my head)
- Saddle hackle
- Markers (used to pattern the feathers)
- Foil (Not my favorite – some of the foils peeled, but the one I used was really sturdy even after crinkling and bending)
- Eyes
- Wool (Salmon)
- Bucktail
- Extreme glue
- Super glue
Tools:
- Vise
- Bobbin
- Renomed Scissors
- Renomed Tweezers
- Whip finish tool
- Bodkin
- Leather cutter (flame heated and used to cut head from block foam)
Video/Photo Setup:
Need more? For a vast array of fly tying materials and tools, visit FlyFishFood.com
Did you tie this fly?
Nicely done!
Tag me @_shetiesflies_ on Instagram so I can admire your masterpiece!
