Toothless Dragon Slider - Wedge Head Technique

All Business, No Flash


The Articulated Trout Slider is by far my favorite articulated streamer (Sorry Cheech Leech)...  In my opinion, there are two magical elements to the ATS - a tight packed deer hair head with hair on only one side, and body material that creates maximum movement.  For most of my sliders, I use ice dub for the body because some of the colors, like gold, silver, chocolate brown, and copper, are straight and very supple.  For the heads, I have been playing with a completely flat head, and it accentuates the "wobble" of the fly that makes it so deadly.  

I was preparing for a trip for Brookies so I wanted a jet black fly with minimal flash.  I played with a few body styles until I settled in on a stacked marabou body, and just plain Jane chenille, in fact, I don't think I have tied with plain black chenille in over 10 years.  Once I had some tied, my daughter came in to my tying room and said that they looked like the dragon from the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" and she was dead on...  Sine then, it was named the Toothless Slider, and it did it's job exceptionally well in a stream full of picky brookies in Argentina.  Play with colors, and head shapes until you dial it in the way you like to fish!



Material List
Add to Cart   View in store

                                                      
Hook: Fulling Mill 36040 Streamer Stripper - 2
Hook: Daiichi 2461 - Long Shank Streamer Hook - 4
Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 140 Denier - Black
GSP Thread: Veevus GSP - White - 200 Denier
Bead: 3D Articulation Beads - Black
Eyes: Double Pupil Lead Eyes - Large - Black w/ Yellow & Black
Connection: Senyo Intruder Trailer Hook Wire - Black - Regular
Tail/Body: Fish Hunter Premium Strung Marabou - Black (UV)
Body: Chenille - Medium - Black
Head: Nature's Spirit Deer Belly Hair - Black
Beard: Bruiser Blend Junior Dubbing - Black


Other tools from the tutorial:
       
C&F Design Tying Comb
Peak Hex Hair Stacker - Magnum
Loon Razor Scissors - 5"
Loon Ergo Bobbin