NOTE:
On size 6 hooks, I use 1/2-inch disks
above the hook shank, and 3/8-inch disks below. On size 10, 3/8-inch on top, and
1/4 on the bottom.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Lay down a good base of
thread.
2. Tie in marabou. Then tie flash on both sides of the marabou and a few
strands on top of the marabou.
3. Tie in fuzzy fibers if wanted. Then tie in hackle and wrap 4 or 5 times so
that a nice collar is created.
4. If you want to, now is the time to add some rubber legs. Now comes the fun
part. Turn the hook over, and grab one of the smaller disks. On this pattern,
you tie from the back, towards the eye of the hook. Place it so that the collar
is pushed backwards a bit. Make a soft wrap of thread around the disk and the
hook shank. Try to catch about one-fourth of the disk. Make another soft wrap,
using only enough pressure to make a tiny dent in the foam. Tighten the first
two wraps and make a third wrap with plenty of tension. Make sure the disk doesn’t
twist out of place. Finish securing the disk with several more tight wraps.
Check the disk's alignment, and proceed to the next one.
5. Turn the hook back over again so that the point of the hook is below the
shank. Take one of the larger disks, and attach it the same way as the smaller
disk.
6. Keep repeating steps 4 and 5 till you have 4 on top and 4 on the bottom.
After you reach 4 above and below the shank, whip finish, and cut the thread.
Seal the whip-finish with cement.
7. Apply a drop of superglue (CA adhesive) between each pair of disks on the
bottom of the fly. Carefully press the disks together to help the glue grab the
foam.
8. Glue the upper disks to one another. Starting at the rear, put a drop of
superglue on the face of each disk, and then press the next disk against it.
9. If you want to, you can glue on some eyes. Hollow doll's eyes, prismatic
Mylar eyes, and three-dimensional plastic eyes are all suitable.
OPTIONS ON THE FLY:
A Disko Sliding Minnow can also be
created. It functions as a top water streamer. Tie one by attaching the tail
(two clumps of hair sandwiching some flash material) at the middle of the shank,
making a couple of wraps of Estaz or another plastic chenille, and then building
the head with four foam disks. Eyes glued to the last disk complete the fly.
You can make a Disko Popper in reverse, starting at the eye of the hook and
working back to the bend, and beginning with a disk on top of the shank. After
attaching all the disks, tie in the tail, and then wrap the collar, tying off
the thread at the rear of the body. Superglue the disks together from front to
back.
Good color combos are: black top with orange belly, black top with chartreuse
belly, all white, all black, chartreuse top with white belly. Also, you can
alternate colors such as yellow, green, orange, and white on the same fly,
producing a banded or striped effect. But generally, simple colors work the
best.
CREDITS:
I originally found this pattern in the
Winter 1999 issue of "Fly Tyer" magazine. C. Boyd Pfeiffer wrote the article.
Blane Chocklett originally created the pattern. He runs the Blue Ridge Fly
Fishers shop and guide service in Roanoke, Virginia.
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