In issue 21 Tim Leppan wrote about ‘The Foam Dungeon,’ his go-to articulated streamer fly pattern for largemouth and Clanwilliam yellowfish. Here’s Tim with the Step-By-Step.
“After sharing this pattern with a group of mates, I received a lot of questions back about how one ties it and how to fish it. In saying that, I thought it would be good idea to share a simple photo Step-By-Step of how to do so, coupled with a link to a neat video on how to tie the original Sex Dungeon tied by Kelly Galloup. By simply substituting the deerhair used to create the head of the fly, one can achieve the desired effect.
Materials
Hooks:
Gamakatsu B10S size #4 (front) and #6 (back)
Tail Section: (Woolly Bugger)
Strung marabou
Flashabou flash
Schlappen feathers (small) or grizzly dry fly hackle (large)
Dubbing
Hairline grizzly micro legs
Joining Section:
50lb braid
5mm plastic beads, 4mm brass beads or 4mm tungsten beads (will elaborate on this at a later stage)
Head Section:
Strung marabou
Schlappen feathers (small) or grizzly dry fly hackle (large)
Dubbing
2mm foam
5mm Ufudu dumbbell eyes
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Foam Dungeon streamer fly pattern tying sequence
Step 1:
Start with the tail section. The tail section is essentially a simple, unweighted Woolly Bugger. However, if you are choosing to tie this pattern with legs, one would tie the legs in just after tying off the grizzly dry fly hackle. Once the legs are tied in (same length as the entire tail section, two on each side), use dubbing to finish of the head of the tail section. Rough up the dubbing using a toothbrush in order to create a slight collar.
Step 2:
Secure the 5mm dumbbell eyes on the front section, #4 B10S. One way in which this pattern differs from the original Sex Dungeon is by tying the dumbbell eyes upside down, Clouser-style, so it swims hook point up. I’ve found this way the pattern is far more weedless when swinging in currents. Then tie in the 50lb braid directly on top of the hook. The tail end of the braid facing the back of the front hook is used to connect the back hook. The front end of the braid must be wrapped around the 5mm dumbbell eyes in order to ensure that the tail section doesn’t slip once fish are hooked.
Using the tail end of the braid, slide two beads of choice onto the braid, then but the braid through the eye of the back hook and back through the two beads. Then lay the braid directly on top of the hook once more and secure it in place remembering to wrap the braid around the dumbell eyes once more. Super glue in place to ensure it doesn’t slip.
Step 3:
A quarter of the way up from where the braid is tied off, from the bend of the hook, tie in a collar of strung marabou in order to hide the beads. Then tie the Schlappen once more along with dubbing and wrap up until halfway. Tie in a clump of strung marabou on the bottom side of the hook, opposite side of the dumbbell eyes. Then tie in legs, two on each side once more, same length as the tail section (optional)
Step 4:
Applying the foam. Cut the foam up into 3cm long, 2mm X 2mm sections. Tie in four pieces at a time, exactly the same way you would stack deerhair. Tie in four pieces on top, four pieces on the bottom, repeat once more and finish with tying in three pieces of foam on the topside (opposite side of the dumbbells). Then tie off and trim to desired shape. Remember to trim a fair amount in order to eliminate air pockets and excess foam, this will help the sink rate.
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For more on this fly and Tim’s thoughts on why it is so effective, check out The Mission Issue 21 for free below, or buy the print version here (we ship worldwide).
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