More Rabbits
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Freshwater Fishing
Forum Name: Fly Tying
Forum Description: Swap tips and techniques for Fresh and Saltwater fly patterns
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=102423
Printed Date: 03 Feb 2026 at 11:27pm
Topic: More Rabbits
Posted By: Rainbow
Subject: More Rabbits
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 2:23pm
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My favourite low light, dirty water streamers. Rainbow  
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Replies:
Posted By: flyfisher
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 2:35pm
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Very nice, like the simplicity and profile of the orange version, not over-done with too much pelt as many commercial ones are. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/user/troutboynz |
Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 4:02pm
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Nice! Did you come up with that design Rainbow?
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Posted By: Rainbow
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 10:59pm
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I really don't know how I come up with that way of tying in rabbit strips Probably from tying nymph wing cases. Probably been done somewhere by somebody already. Would be surprised if it hasn't. Never really liked the old fashioned way of tying in rabbit strips. Most are to long and wrap. Rainbow |
Posted By: Pole Dancer
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 2:27pm
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No rabbit fly "wraps" if tied correctly, when fixing a problem first you must address if there is a problem. Poor tying is a problem I guess, but instead of redesigning the fly you could just tie the original well. I have spent a bit of time with Dan Byford who created the "Zonker", the US version of our rabbit and he tied it similarly to your method but improved it a bit by allowing some over hang instead of just a tied in tail. This gives more sinuous movement to the pattern making it more effective, it doesn't wrap, if tied at correct length, and swims better. I do like your incorporation of the palmered hackle though, that is a nice touch, but I think in solving a problem that doesn't exist, you might have taken a step backwards a bit. But hell, as long as you catch a fish on one you can call it a victory aye? ------------- http://www.clarkreid.co.nz" rel="nofollow - www.clarkreid.co.nz FFF Certified Casting Instructor / Umpqua Designer Tier 
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Posted By: Rainbow
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 7:15pm
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The Zonker is the NZ Rabbit lure/ fly that got HI checked by the Americans. I followed this fly right from its very beginning and remember it as a fur strip wing tied down near the bend. It had a Mylar tube body and incorporated some sort to lead keel. ( http://globalflyfisher.com/tiebetter/zonkers/#mango) It certainly was not ribbed along the body tube like all the NZ streamer feather wings and our rabbits which is known as Matuka style by the Americans. No mention anywhere that this style originated here. We tied Wolly worms with a tail, which was reinvented as the Wooly Bugger. My flies do not have a tied in tail all the hair is part of the strip. It is the way it is initially tied in that creates a continuous hair comb. I only tie flies that catch fish not fishermen. As I said elsewhere I used to sit and watch at Keith Drapers s upstairs shop how they tied the great Taupo flies by the hundreds/dozens. Rainbow |
Posted By: Pole Dancer
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2014 at 8:59am
Interesting take on things. All the differences you point out about the zonker, missing the original didn;t have a throat hackle, but a bib are reasons why it was fair enough to call it a stand alone pattern. The only really commonality it had with the NZ Rabbit was the incorporation of a fur strip still attached to the hide. As a youngster I too would watch at Draper's, but as I got older I found myself tying hundreds of dozens instead  .The only real commonality the Wooly Worm has with the Wooly Bugger (Obvious derivation is evident in the name) is the palmered hackle, In NZ the tailed version had, usually, a Squirrel tail, tail. The Americans came up with both the original worm and then the bugger by using Marabou, pretty long stretch of the bow to think they borrowed the idea from us putting some squirrel in there. Dan mentioned everywhere that he got his inspiration from the rabbit fly... as referenced and on most sites... http://stevenojai.tripod.com/zonker.htm" rel="nofollow - http://stevenojai.tripod.com/zonker.htm Ummm not wanting to state the obvious, but at the point you "tie in" the tail part of the rabbit strip, you are tying in the tail. I don;t want to be pedantic, but arguing that you are not doing what you are doing is getting just a touch too argumentative over nothing for me. I actually like your pattern, I believe it would be much more effective if some of the strip protruded beyond the tail as this is part of the swimming action the fly is designed for and which makes it such a devastating pattern.
------------- http://www.clarkreid.co.nz" rel="nofollow - www.clarkreid.co.nz FFF Certified Casting Instructor / Umpqua Designer Tier
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Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2014 at 4:16pm
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Herb, a favour if you would.. If I sent you a couple of jungle cock feathers, would you consider tying one of those orange rabbits for me.? I don't want it for fishing, just for my collection as I reckon it looks pretty smart. ( I'd add a sweetener by way of a bribe
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Posted By: Rainbow
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2014 at 7:58pm
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Hi Uncle I am not much of a fly tier only tie them to catch fish. PM me your address and I send you the fly Then you can tie in the jungle cock yourself. Saves postage. Cheers Herb |
Posted By: Capt Asparagus
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2014 at 8:39pm
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Lucky bugger to still have jungle cock. A bunch of years back, burglars flogged my tying kit, in which were a couple of capes of jungle cock, packets of partridge tails and grouse tails, all sorts of good stuff..., but gone. *******. Those are really smart looking flies, that orange one looks really really smart. I bet they will be death on a line to any trout still swimming. ------------- It is only my overwhelming natural humility that mars my perfection. Captain Asparagus, Superhero, Adventurer. |
Posted By: Rainbow
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2014 at 10:14pm
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Uncle no bribe needed Some years ago you sent me a few silicone flies The best I have ever seen. Herb |
Posted By: Sho_gun
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2014 at 11:24pm
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I would love to get my mitts on some JC. If you have any you want to sell Uncle or if any one knows someone that does, I would appreciate the details. Cheers Andy |
Posted By: Sho_gun
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2014 at 11:28pm
| Have tried the Jungle Cock Pro HD but it's just not the same |
Posted By: StPaul
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2014 at 5:06pm
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Sho_gun try these guys. http://bransfordgame.com/jungle-cock-capes/?gclid=CjwKEAjwi6OeBRCCrZqp-qaQhhISJACrfbtAo05zU5vD4SNapaoJwAF2u_KevPrqnTkCtfTkn2evTxoCW7Lw_wcB" rel="nofollow - http://bransfordgame.com/jungle-cock-capes/?gclid=CjwKEAjwi6OeBRCCrZqp-qaQhhISJACrfbtAo05zU5vD4SNapaoJwAF2u_KevPrqnTkCtfTkn2evTxoCW7Lw_wcB
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Posted By: Sho_gun
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2014 at 9:29pm
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Ok I having playing around with this pattern. Here is my rendition only with an intruder hook in the tail and tungsten come head. Also added some Pro Jungle Cock and all in my favourite flavour - olive. Actually looks pretty deadly!! Might have to put this into production and definitely looking forward getting it wet! http://s296.photobucket.com/user/andyhewitt8/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-34.jpg.html" rel="nofollow"> 
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