Hook:

Daiichi 2546 Size 4 to 8 Saltwater Hook

Thread:

6/0 black or brown thread

Cone:

X-small (5/32") for size 8 or small (3/16") for sizes 4 and 6

Body:

Silver tinsel or body braid

Wing

Four strands of pearl crystal flash topped with grey squirel tail

Thorax:

A ball of Spirit River Peacock Herl Lite Brite dubbed behind the cone head.

Notes:

This pattern was originated by Bob Triggs, a beach guide on the Puget Sound and has proved to be a very simple yet effective chum fry imitation. When coho and coastal cutthroat are feeding out-migrating chum salmon fry during March - May this pattern can be extremely effective fished with short irratic strips. This fly also works well in lakes and streams where small baitfish are present and it was responsible for fooling my largest rainbow trout to date on the Yakima River of central Washington. The chum baby can also be tied in other color combinations and one of my favorites is a blue verison, which uses pearl blue body braid, Spirit River smolt blue Krystal Splash, and dyed blue squirel tail. This version also does a great job of imitating juvenile pink salmon.

Step 2: Wrap the thread back up to just behind the cone and add a small amount of Zap-A-Gap to the shank. This will provide extra durability for the body, and ensure that the fly is able to stand up to the sharp teeth of coho and cutthroat. Next wrap the tinsel or body braid up the shank to just behind the conehead and tie it off.

Step 3: Now tie in four strands of pearl crystal flash so that they extend 1/2 to 3/4 of a shank length beyond the bend of the hook.

Step 4: Tie in a very sparse clump of squirel tail hair so that the tips of the hair extend just past the crystal flash.

Step 5: Form a ball of peacock dubbing just behind the cone, then whip finish and head cement.