Cheeky Chub/Pass Lake Chub

[Ian Horning]

Here's a really simple baitfish pattern called the Cheeky Chub. It is named appropriately for being first used as a pattern imitating the fathead chubs in Pass Lake, and developed while I was recovering from a wisdom teeth operation, during which I looked like a squirrel stuffed full of peanuts.

"The Cheeky Chub is a small baitfish pattern that excels in fishing shallow water and with quick retrieves. Being unweighted, the full benefit of the Rabbit-Strip wing is utilized. The Natural buoyancy of the rabbit causes the fly to sink very slowly and dart erratically when stripped, and the unparalleled underwater pulsation and movement of rabbit fur combined with the right amount of flash creates a pattern that aggressive trout lock on to."

During its initial test, it proved its worth in my tackle box. It drew vicious hits from both Browns and Rainbows, which chased it all the way to the boat even in bright, sunny water. I fished it with short, rapid 3-4 inch strips (2-3 per second).

Materials:
Wing: Rabbit Strip + a couple strips of Angel Hair Flash, Olive Gold
Tail: White Baitfish Emulator
Interior: Tinsel wrapped around hook shank
Belly: White Baitfish Emulator
Hook: Size 6; Pinch barbs where required (and just because)
Adding eyes on the front would look really good too.

That's it! Nothing Fancy. Knock 'em dead y'all.

Ian

[The Quadfather]

Very nice! I don't tie my own, but will look to match it. Some Fall fishing at Pass sounds great.

[Bodofish]

Those should work quite well. I've tied up some very similar ones just for Pass Lake. I was never able to hook up with any of the browns but I have played with a few of the large bows. The best part is the look they give you. You pull them up and they just lay there looking at you.... Are you done? can I go back now?........ We can play on another day, I promise.

[Ian Horning]

I spent way too much time trying to "over-develop" flies, adding a bunch of materials that added good looks but made the fly swim like a newborn elephant.

These were like Russell Wilson flies... when I drafted them, I had mixed thoughts, but when put into action, they won over the starting position in my fly box. (Now, if we can get our offensive line in check, maybe we can re-create those first couple of years)

Go Hawks

Ian

[Bodofish]

I spent way too much time trying to "over-develop" flies, adding a bunch of materials that added good looks but made the fly swim like a newborn elephant.

These were like Russell Wilson flies... when I drafted them, I had mixed thoughts, but when put into action, they won over the starting position in my fly box. (Now, if we can get our offensive line in check, maybe we can re-create those first couple of years)

Go Hawks

Ian

I'm with you on the overdeveloping of the flies. The first ones I tie are normally big and puffy and then I work them down to fight'n weight...... Slim is always better for those types of flies.

[Ian Horning]

Of course I wasn't happy with the original product. I had to go back and make some modifications, make it more complex, etc. Well, this time I was right.

20+ Trout sent their approvals after witnessing the first run.

The cheeky chub just got cheekier.

Ian

[Bodofish]

Nice!!! And how was the highway? I'm making it that way at the end of the week, glad to know you have them all warmed up for me.

[Ian Horning]

The lake fished very well. The only problem was the "accuracy" of the fish, namely the browns. I got so many swipes, misses, even porpoises on the fly that didn't stick it was unbelievable. All streamer-type hooksets too, it was odd. I could have had a 20 fish day had I landed every bite/hookup.

Also, watch out for the little trout. Near the launch I found a horde of 5-7" fish that spanned 100 yards and they would hit every other cast.

[Bodofish]

That sounds about right. You won't find those little trout at the boat launch just before sunrise. The browns just work that area and push the shiners right in to the beach. I'll bet they eat little trouts as fast as shiners.

[Ian Horning]

I caught a 12" brown off of the boat launch. He hit 6 times, including right as the fly hit the water.

Also I got my fly caught in a mess of algae, and skated it across the surface back to the boat and a fish hit it as it was engulfed in slimy green weeds. That was funny.