JENNINGS ULTIMATE BOATMEN

SUBMITTED BY: Ruben Breitkreutz

       
Fly Tied and Photo taken by Ruben Breitkreutz

This pattern was developed by Steve Jennings to imitate water boatmen.

FISHING METHOD: I fish boatmen patterns at ice off and in the fall after the first frost. In early spring, I will use a type 2 sinking line with a 6 to 12 foot leader and cast the pattern tight to the bank. Retrieve the fly back into deeper water using a medium to fast retrieve with 3 to 4 inch strips.

In deeper water or in the fall, you can use a type 2 or faster sinking line. You can use either type of sinking line, density compensated or a line that sinks with a belly. The leader should be about 6 to 9 feet. Use a slow hand twist retrieve with a couple quick 2 to 4 inch pulls added to the retrieve. In deeper water, very the depth you start you retrieve. This pattern floats like a cork.

Hook	Mustad R 72, size 10 -14
Thread	6/0 or 8/0 olive
Legs	Green or Brown Superfloss
Body	Preformed Foam body (1/2 inch- plump or slim) tan or white.
Markers	Olive, Bright Green, Red, And Black Permanente markers.
Glue	Crazy glue to secure the foam body only
Back Sealant	Aquaseal (add the Cotol-240 Kicker to speed up the drying time.)
Body Sealant	Dave’s Flexcement (1/3 cement to 2/3 thinner) or Water base flexcement
Cutting Tool	Razor Blade

  TYING NOTES:

1. Pinch your barb and lay down a thread base on the hook shank.

2. Cut a 2-inch piece of Superfloss for the legs. Secure the legs in the middle of the hook shank. Whip-finish the fly and trim off the thread.

3. Cut a 1/16-inch deep slit, down the underside of the foam body. Cut two 1/16- inch slots half way down the body at a 10-degree angle forward (toward the thick part of the foam).

4. Use an olive pantone pen or a permanent marker to color the underside of the body before you Crazy glue it in place. The glue will change the color if you do it later.

5. Put a small amount of Crazy glue under the shank of the hook. Push the foam body onto the hook shank (flat side up) and let dry.

6. Add a small amount of super glue in to the leg slots. Pull the legs into the slots, making sure the legs point forward at a 5 – 10 degree angle. Hold the legs in place until the glue is dry.

7. Tune the fly over to add the body colors.

8. Color the head bright green.

9. Add two red dots on the head at either side of the hook eye.

10. Create a wineglass shape on the belly with some chevron markings on each side using a black marker. Let the pen dry for about five minutes.

11. Cover colored body with the thinned flexcenent, trying not to touch the legs. The thinner in the cement will cause the legs to curl.

12. Remove the fly and hook it into a small block of Styrofoam. I tie several flies to this stage and let the body dry before adding the Aquaseal.

13. I mix 1 part Cotol-240 kicker with 2 parts Aquaseal to speed up the drying time to about two hours.

14. Coat the back (flat side) with Aquaseal using a toothpick. Let the fly dry over night if you don’t use the kicker.

15. Push the legs forward and trim them together. The legs should be about 5/8- inch long.

I have tied this pattern using either white or tan bodies. You can change the color of foam using your markers.

The takes can be very aggressive, especially at the surface or near the bottom.