Essential Materials for Tying the Rabbit Strip Fly
Before you begin tying the rabbit strip fly, it’s important to gather the right materials to ensure both ease of tying and effectiveness in the water. The following components are the foundation for creating a durable and enticing fly that will catch the attention of even the wariest of fish.
Materials Checklist:
- Hook: Streamer hook, sizes 6 to 2/0, with an extended shank for added versatility. The size you choose should match your target species and fishing conditions.
- Thread: 3/0 thread in tan or a color that complements your rabbit strip. Strong thread ensures your fly stays secure during tying and use.
- Weight (Optional): Medium lead wire for additional weight. Adding weight helps the fly sink quickly and achieve a natural swimming motion in deeper water or strong currents.
- Tail: Rabbit strip in the desired body color, paired with a few strands of Crystal Flash or Flashabou for added attraction. The movement of the rabbit strip, combined with the subtle shimmer of flash material, mimics the appearance of live prey.
- Body: Rabbit strip, in a color of your choosing, wrapped along the hook shank. This creates the fly’s lifelike profile and signature undulating motion.
- Collar (Optional): A contrasting color of rabbit strip can be used as a collar near the head of the fly to enhance its visual appeal and create a more defined silhouette in the water.
Pro Tip:
Selecting high-quality rabbit strips is key to crafting a successful fly. Ensure the fur is dense, with no visible gaps along the hide, for a consistent and lifelike action in the water. By carefully choosing your materials, you’ll set the stage for tying a fly that’s not only visually appealing but also highly effective at enticing strikes.
Step-by-Step Guide to Tying the Rabbit Strip Fly
Follow these instructions to create a durable and lifelike rabbit strip fly that will entice fish in a variety of conditions. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced tier, these steps break down the process for easy execution.
1. Secure the Thread
- Start by wrapping the thread from just behind the eye of the hook to the rear, stopping at the bend. Create a smooth base for attaching your materials.
2. Add Optional Weight
- If additional sink rate is desired, wrap several turns of medium lead wire around the hook shank. Secure the wire in place with your thread. This step helps the fly get to the strike zone faster in deep or fast-moving water.
3. Attach the Tail
- Cut a strip of rabbit fur (body color of your choice) for the tail. Tie it in securely at the hook bend, ensuring it lies on top of the shank.
- Measure the tail so it matches the length of the hook. Do not cut off the remaining rabbit strip, as it will be used for the body.
4. Add Flash
- Tie in a few strands of Crystal Flash or Flashabou at the base of the tail. These reflective strands mimic the shimmer of baitfish and increase the fly’s visibility.
5. Wrap the Thread to the Eye
- Advance your thread forward to just behind the hook eye, preparing for the body wraps.
6. Wrap the Rabbit Strip Body
- Using the same rabbit strip from the tail, begin wrapping it forward along the hook shank.
- After each wrap, gently stroke the fur back to prevent it from getting trapped between the layers. This ensures the rabbit hair flows naturally in the water.
- Stop wrapping at least 1/8 inch from the hook eye to leave room for finishing.
7. Secure and Trim
- Tie off the rabbit strip and trim the excess. Hold back the fur with your fingers to keep it clear of the finishing steps.
8. Build the Head
- Create a clean, cone-shaped head with your thread. Tie it off securely and apply a thin coat of head cement for durability.
Optional: Add a Contrasting Collar
- If desired, tie in a strip of rabbit fur in a contrasting color near the head. Make two wraps to form a collar that adds visual interest and enhances the fly’s profile.
- Secure the collar and finish the fly as usual.
Pro Tips for Success
- Use a rotary vise if available to make wrapping the rabbit strip easier and more consistent.
- Maintain even tension when wrapping the rabbit strip to avoid gaps in the body.
- Experiment with different rabbit strip colors and flash materials to match local prey species.
By following these steps, you’ll have a rabbit strip fly ready to entice everything from trout to pike—and beyond!
Key Considerations When Tying the Rabbit Strip Fly
Crafting an effective Rabbit Strip Fly requires thoughtful material selection, careful technique, and strategic color choices. Here’s what you need to know to create a fly that performs consistently on the water.
1. Choosing the Right Rabbit Strips
The type of rabbit strip you use can greatly influence the look and performance of your fly. Here are some tips to make the best choice:
- Size Matters: Select rabbit strips that are about 1/8″ wide for most standard flies. Adjust the size according to your hook—smaller strips for lighter hooks, larger strips for bigger streamers.
- Density: Choose full, high-quality strips with dense, evenly spaced hair. Avoid strips with bald spots or inconsistent fur, as these can lead to uneven wraps and less realistic movement in the water.
- Type:
- Standard Strips: Versatile and suitable for most flies.
- Crosscut Strips: Easier to wrap around the hook shank, as the hair naturally lays back. Ideal for beginners or those tying bulkier patterns.
- Zonker Strips: Longer and ideal for creating pronounced tails or larger flies designed for aggressive predators.
2. Practice Makes Perfect
Mastering the art of wrapping rabbit strips takes a bit of patience but pays off in the water.
- Start Small: Practice on simpler patterns or unused hooks before attempting a full Rabbit Strip Fly.
- Tension Control: Maintain consistent tension while wrapping to avoid gaps or uneven layering.
- Hair Management: Use your fingers to gently stroke the hair back with each wrap. This ensures the rabbit fur flows naturally and prevents it from being trapped under subsequent wraps.
3. Selecting Fly Colors by Water and Light Conditions
Color plays a crucial role in how your Rabbit Strip Fly is perceived by fish. Match your fly to local conditions and target species for maximum effectiveness.
Popular Colors and Their Applications:
- Brown (Natural): A versatile choice that mimics small fish, leeches, or other aquatic prey in most environments.
- Olive: Excellent for baitfish patterns in murky freshwater.
- Black: A high-contrast option for clear or dark water, overcast days, or deep low-light conditions.
- White: Mimics shad and other pale baitfish, performing well in clear or stained water.
- Gray: A subtle, natural hue that resembles minnows, especially effective in clear water.
- Tan: Great for sandy or light-bottomed environments, and effective for imitating crayfish or light-colored baitfish.
- Chartreuse: A bold, attention-grabbing color for stained or dirty water, or when fish are feeding aggressively.
- Pink: Common in saltwater, ideal for shrimp patterns or standing out in murky water.
- Yellow: Effective in various conditions, particularly for species accustomed to yellow prey.
- Orange: Attracts aggressive strikes in stained water or during times of heightened fish activity.
- Purple: Creates a strong silhouette in darker waters or low-light conditions.
- Red: Represents blood or injured prey, triggering predatory instincts.
Pro Tip: Experimentation is Key
No two fishing environments are the same, so tie your Rabbit Strip Fly in multiple colors and sizes. Testing these variations in different conditions will help you discover the patterns that consistently bring fish to the net.
How to Fish a Rabbit Strip Zonker Fly
Fishing the Rabbit Strip Zonker Fly is all about harnessing its lifelike movement and triggering strikes from predatory fish. Its versatile design allows you to fish it in a variety of ways, depending on the situation.
1. Fishing the Dead Drift and Swing
The classic method for fishing the Rabbit Strip Zonker is a dead drift and swing. This mimics the natural movement of an injured or drifting baitfish, drawing in predators. Here’s how to do it:
- Dead Drift: Cast the fly and let it drift naturally with the current. This technique is particularly effective in streams, where the fly drifts like a wounded fish or prey, enticing fish lurking nearby.
- Swinging the Fly: As the fly drifts, begin to swing it across the current. You can add pauses or slight twitches to simulate an injured fish trying to escape, which often triggers aggressive strikes from fish.
2. Streamer Fishing Techniques
For a more active presentation, fish your Rabbit Strip Zonker like a traditional streamer. This method is excellent for triggering a predatory response from aggressive fish like pike, bass, and even saltwater species.
- Upward, Across River Cast: Cast the fly upstream or across the current. Allow the fly to sink slightly before beginning your retrieve.
- Strip Retrieve: Use a slow, steady strip or vary your retrieval speed to create a more erratic, enticing movement in the water. If you’re fishing in saltwater or larger rivers, this method can really get attention.
- Figure Eight Motion: Try incorporating the figure-eight motion into your retrieve, which causes the fly to swim in unpredictable, darting movements, mimicking an injured baitfish.
3. When to Use the Rabbit Strip Zonker Fly
The Rabbit Strip Zonker is an excellent go-to fly when other patterns like egg imitations aren’t producing. Predatory fish are often attracted to its realistic movement, and the zonker-style tail adds extra life to the fly.
- Switch it Up: When traditional flies aren’t producing, or you need a change of pace, reach for the Rabbit Strip Zonker Fly. It has a proven track record of enticing fish and often produces in conditions where other flies fail.
- Dedicated Fly Box: As you experience the effectiveness of the Rabbit Strip Zonker Fly, you’ll quickly find yourself building a dedicated fly box for this versatile pattern. Try different color variations and sizes based on the conditions you’re fishing in.
Pro Tip: Keep it Moving
The key to fishing the Rabbit Strip Zonker Fly is keeping it in motion. Whether you’re using a dead drift, a swing, or a retrieve, the fly’s natural movement in the water will mimic the prey fish that predators are hunting. The more lifelike your presentation, the more likely you’ll entice an aggressive strike.
Original Article By Brad Berlin
Brad Berlin has been tying flies and fishing many of the local streams in the northeast, and especially central Pennsylvania for over 20 years. He guides on area streams and the Susquehanna River. Brad teaches classes in fly ting and casting. He enjoys fishing the tributaries of Lake Ontario in the fall.
