2014 Fly Swap: Zach's English Breakfast

Click HERE to visit the swap summary page.

Tier: Zach Janssen

State: Kansas City, MO

About: "Since winter began I have been experimenting with creating a semi-articulated Carp fly that still rode (somewhat) hook point up, and wasn’t too obtrusive to be used on local Kansas City fish. After many trials and errors, I came up with the English Breakfast! Though I have not officially fished this bug, many bathtub tests have shown it to have a fairly unique action paired with a reasonable silhouette and overall shape. Being fairly reminiscent of a crayfish, Helgie, or something along those lines, I plan on throwing this to the aggressive pre and post spawn fish in our larger bodies of water. In theory, I think I would also throw it to Lake Michigan carp. Though I achieved the overall body style I was going for, there are still a few kinks I wish to work out before the season begins. The major one being the posterior hooks ability to twist with the wraps of the chenille. I am currently in the process of experimenting with a hard mono connection rather than a supple gel spun tippet in an attempt to alleviate this issue."

Notes:  Zach Janssen in one of the wunderkind of carp flyfishing. He's been profiled in the Kansas City Star and CarpPro magazine for his prowess on the urban creeks of the Kansas City area. Oh and he recently bought his first car, so look out carp the kid is now mobile! 

Recipe:

• Lead hook: Roughly one centimeter of a Mustad 3366 #4
• Thread: Uni 6/0 Black and Olive
• Eyes: Extra small lead in red or yellow
• Head: New Age Chenille #0 (Copper Black or Lemon Lime)
• Legs: 2 strands of Silicone Legs (Pumpkin/Brown or Speckled Olive)
• Hackle: Hen Saddle wrapped with shaft (Speckled Brown or Speckled Olive)
• Flash: Two strands of Lateral Scale 

• Stinger Hook: TMC 2499SPBL #8 looped with 3x Rio gel spun “Super Tippet” 
• Tail: Two strands Silicone Legs (Pumpkin/Brown or Speckled Olive)
• Body: New Age Chenille #0 (Copper Black and Lemon Lime) wrapped up the shank, over the super tippet and secured on the 3366 shank with just enough room to add the legs, flash, and hackle behind the eyes.