A twist on a Popovic Hollow Tied Bulkhead Beast Fly

The hollow tie technique is an excellent method for giving the fly volume but
can be adapted to imitate most baitfish profiles, and other prey items such
as shrimp patterns etc.

I designed this fly for Pike on larger waters such as Lochs or Large Trout
reservoirs using the hollow tie method but leaving the angle of the bucktail
wider than the standard hollow tie technique to give the fly a wider profile
when wet. The head of the fly is also clipped to leave a wider blunt head
which also gives the fly a wider profile on the retrieve. The flash and
bunches of bucktail have been gradually increased as you get closer to the
head, and I have used Fox Rage Predator wire 49 strand in 65lb breaking strain
for the joint between the hook and the shanks.

Materials List

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Bobs Popovics’s patterns are very scalable, so you can adapt the design for
large or smaller species, and as we get closer to trout fry feeding time you
could find some inspiration for some roach and perch fry patterns. A detailed
description of the technique can be found easily with a search on google or on
youtube. The technique was originally developed for Striped Bass flies by the
famous Salwater Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Legend Bob Popovics. I thoroughly
recommend his books, if you are looking to tie saltwater and predator flies.
Both books are a superb guide to the art, skills, imitation and innovation
from the author.

Most of the materials for the flies he ties are easily available, but usually
an alternative product can be easily substituted if you can’t find the exact
material. The patterns he ties are also open to experimentation with other
materials, so there is a lot of opportunity to use your imagination, or use
the materials you may already have without buying a lot of new materials.