Fish-Skull Chocklett's Micro Articulated Fish Spine- The Fish-Skull Articulated Fish-Spine is an innovative system of interconnected, articulated shanks that combine to form a multi-jointed, fish spine upon which incredibly animate and realistic baitfish patterns can be tied. The future of articulation has arrived!
The Fish-Spine was co-developed with Blane Chocklett who is one of the fly fishing industries most forward thinking and innovative fly tiers. By daisy-chaining a series of articulated shanks, Blane conceived of a way to impart incredibly realistic action into baitfish patterns that has until now been impossible to achieve. Multi-jointed swim flies with ultra-real action!
Articulated Fish-Spine Q & A:
Q: What is the basic method for tying flies using the Fish-Spine?
A: The concept is very simple. Flies are typically created in four or five sections, i.e. a hook (at front or back) plus three or four articulated shanks all daisy chained together to form the body and tail of the fly.
A fly is tied in sections. Each section is tied on one of the 3 or 4 articulated shanks or the hook. Typically, a fly is tied by starting first with the tail section and then sections are added until you finish at the front of the head. Each section is created by tying the materials (natural or synthetic) onto an articulated shank which is held in your vise. Once a section is tied, the shank is removed from the vise and connected to the loop of the next size articulated shank. In turn, this new shank is held in the vise and materials are tied onto that shank. This process continues until the shanks and hook are all connected. The fly is then trimmed to shape and any final features like eyes or body markings can be added to complete the fly.
Q: What hook and shank configurations are possible?
A: Flies of varying sizes can be created by combining different hook sizes/lengths with different shank lengths. This gives you the flexibility to create different patterns to suit your local fishery. The Fish-Spine is highly customizable. Experiment with different combinations of shank lengths, hooks and materials to create your ultimate swim fly!
Typically, most Fish-Spine flies are tied with the hook in front of the fly, onto which is attached the body and tail section, comprised of either three or four shanks. An alternative is to place the shanks in front with the hook attached to the back of the fly.
Q: What fly tying materials can be used for a Fish-Spine fly?
A: There is really no limitation on the type of materials that can be used. Potentially any synthetic or natural fly tying material used for tying streamers today can be used. Flies can be weighted or unweighted. The magic is in the spine!
Q: Can the Fish-Spine be used for saltwater flies?
A: Yes, the Fish-Spine is made of stainless spring steel.
Q: Can the Fish-Spine be used with the Fish-Skull Baitfish Heads and Fish-Skull Sculpin Helmets?
A: Yes, they can be used if you wish to tie a weighted fly.
Q: What types of baitfish/streamer flies can be tied using the Fish-Spine?
A: There are no real limits. Virtually any saltwater or freshwater flies that have a minnow or baitfish profile. To see examples of fly patterns tied with the Fish-Spine click here.
Q: What commercially produced patterns utilize the Fish-Spine?
A: Blane Chocklett'sGame Changer baitfish imitation is the first commercially produced fly that utilizes the Fish-Spine and is available through Umpqua Feather Merchants. This revolutionary pattern is the perfect example of how the Fish-Spine will enable a new generation of streamers to be created.
