While looking for something to make with my 3D printer, I ran across a file that caught my attention. It was similar to a Fish Skull in the sense that it is a head that gets attached to a fly. It gives a fly a tapered look and covers up what could be a messy head. It makes the fly look a lot cleaner and gives it a more realistic profile. I tie a few patterns with heads like these so when I saw that I could make some on my own and for cheaper, I wanted to make a few and see how they looked on flies.
The person that posted the file online also created an instructional video that included a fly pattern and how to incorporate the 3D printed head. This pattern was intended to imitate an anchovy but I figure most freshwater baitfish have similar profiles. They tend to be 3-4 inches long, have dark backs, and white bellies. I tied up a few of these flies with olive backs and white bellies. Once those were done, I thought I would try to create a shad imitation so I replaced the olive marabou with a gray and white rabbit strip.
Overall, I am thrilled about how this fly turned out. I love the profile and color but there are some unproved aspects that I need to investigate. This is an unweighted fly so I am curious to see how it sinks. I'm not sure if I will be able to fish it on a floating line or if it will require a sink tip line. More importantly, I want to see the profile and action that it has in the water. I also want to see the difference (if there is any) between the fly with the marabou versus the fly with the rabbit strip. Only field testing will reveal the answers to my questions...and spring can't get here fast enough!
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