Simple Prawn Tube Fly

I was unpacking materials after yesterday's tying demo at the Gig Harbor Fly Shop and noticed a small piece of pink finn raccoon zonker strip in my hand.  Not only did this prompt me to start getting "a list of things I need" going, but I thought, "What in the hell am I going to do with this little strip?"  Normally, I would have utlized it for winging material, but I have plenty of flies with pink wings already.   What to do?

My gear friends do very well on large, late winter Olympic Peninsula steelhead using pink worms; which sparked me to tie up a simple leech pattern instead of using rabbit strips.  After I tied the first collar in I saw more prawn features than leech and went with the thought. 

There's a lot of potential in this style.  I am going to tinker with this idea some more.   Do you think she'll hunt just fine like this?  

I'll keep you folks posted.

Materials

Tube:  Choice  (I am tying on a Pro Tubefly System's Large 40/40mm)
Thread: 6/0 Euro thread.  Color to match.
Tail:  Finn raccoon zonker strip with two strands of Mirage Flashabou tied in at the sides.
Body:  The body is tied in two segments.  First a collar of finn raccoon spun in a dubbing loop, followed by a few turns of longer pheasant tippets.  Rubbers legs were then tied in.  The collar and tippets steps are repeated.  Four strands of Mirage Flashabou were next, then finished with two golden pheasant flanks feather tied low over the body.
Wing:  Two golden pheasant flank feather tied low over the body
Step 1:

Firmly place tube on needle (or mandrel).  Add weigthed saucer or drop weight on tube.  Secure weight in place with turns of thread.  Cut a half inch to three quarters inch piece of finn raccoon from zonker strip.  Tie in place with firm wraps.  Tie in two strand of Mirage Flashabou on wach side of the tail.  Place a drop or two of thin cement on wraps.

Step 2:

Form a dubbing loop and heavily wax thread.  Cut approximately 1-inch of finn raccoon from the hide/strip.  Place in dubbing loop and spread the fur out covering approximately 2-inches of thread/loop.  The end of the guard hairs should extend to approximately two-thirds length of the tail.  Cut the butt section close to the thread.  Spin and form a "hair chenille."   I would recommend wetting your fingers, stroking the hair towards the rear of the tube while wraping.

Step 3:

Tie in a rather large golden pheasant tippet feater by the tip and wind forward.

Wrap forward.

Step 4:

Tie in rubber leg material.    Trim excess however, do not cut to length yet.

Step 5:

Repeat steps 2 and 3.



Collar wrapped.



Golden pheasant tippets completed.  Add four long strands of Mirage flashabou. 

Step 6:

Select two golden pheasant flank feathers.  Stack feather on top of one another and tie in low to the body.  Whip finish.

(Top view)

Step 7:

Cut rubber legs even with the end (rear portion) of the tube.  Cut Mirage Flashabou to the end of the tail's guard hairs.

Step 8:

Remove tube from needle (or mandrel).  Cut front portion of the tube close to the head.  Leave approximately 1/16 of an inch.  With a lighter use the blue portion of the flame to melt (roll) the end of the tube.

Cut approximately 1/2-inch from the rear portion of the tube.  Apply two coats of thin penetrating cement to the head followed by one "finishing" coat.

Rigged with hook.