Intro
This is a fly I’ve been dying to tie: The Jerk Changer, designed by Blane Chocklett.
If you know Fly Tying Smith, you know Game Changers are my absolute favorite patterns to fish, everything from Trout to GTs love them (I’ve even landed Carp on one!).
The Jerk Changer brings a whole new dynamic to the water. Positioning the hook near the center of the fly, paired with a long head and a rudder tail, gives it a distinctive side-to-side darting action. How can any fish resist that?
Step-by-Step
Materials & Prep: Size 2 Gamakatsu SL12S Short hook, Black Hen cape, black thread, custom handmade black brush (with tinsel flash), and custom articulated shanks/links.
Tail Section: Insert the rear tail spine into your vise.
Building the Rudder: Tie in 4 flat hen cape feathers to create the rudder tail, then palmer your brush forward and secure.
Link 2: Attach the next spine/link to the rear section.
Body Wrap: Palmer your brush along this section.
Link 3: Attach the third spine/link.
Body Wrap. Palmer your brush forward.
Hook Connection: Tie the front body spine onto your hook, then attach the completed tail assembly. (Pro tip: Use a hair clip to keep the tail section pulled back and out of your way while tying).
Hook Body: Palmer your brush over the hook shank.
Head Shank: Attach the final head spine/link to the hook eye.
Head Wrap: Palmer your final brush section along the head link and whip finish.
Brushing & Trimming
Once finished, you’ll have a messy brush of a fly. Lay it flat on a table and comb it out thoroughly so the fibers align.
Now for the scary part: the trim. This is where you can make or break the look of your fly:
Start by trimming a clean rectangular profile from tail to head.
Round out the head profile.
Trim the sides evenly and fine-tune the silhouette until you get that sleek, tapered shape.
Good luck and happy tying! Reach out to @FlyTyingSmith on Instagram if you have any questions or need advice on the trim. Or you can contact me at flytyingsmith@gmail.com.
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