Fly tying: Poppers

I’ve just gotten started tying my own flies, and since Poppers are what I catch most of my fish on (panfish), I tried to tie a few, but when I got them in the water, they floated sideways… anyone have any suggestions? Do i need to weight it on the bottom of the foam head? or should I take a different approach?

Heavier hook.
Make sure it is centered.

Dog

Dog is right. Most commercially tied poppers have hooks that are too small. Besides floating wrong, it’s also harder to to get a good hook set with them. Don’t proportion your poppers based on what the commercial ones look like.

Also look at where the head is mounted on the hook. I don’t bury the shank of the hook deep into the head. I like using kink-shanked hooks and I slide the hook into the slot just far enough to cover it with epoxy. That keeps most of head material above the hook.

Good luck with your project!

Rootski

Rootski….I grew up in So St Paul…..That town has change alot since then. I lived rght across from Washington school!

Thanks guys. I’ll definitely incorporate those suggestions. Hopefully I’ll get it right before I “waste” too much material!