Don's Gunslinger Chironomid

Sport Fishing On The Fly proudly presents another website exclusive On The Bench, hosted by Don Freschi.

In this video, Don ties his Gunslinger Chironomid. This video is also available in high definition.

Comments

[Bowhunter]

Don, I love to see these ties on your website. The new site is a great way to resource back to the many episodes I have seen on WFN. When have you found this pattern to be most productive??

[Don Freschi]

Hi Bowhunter,

We have found that this fly works best in deeper water (>12 ft). Unless you have big bombers coming off in shallow water, fish this fly just off the shoal legdes in the deeper water. The orange wing buds become an attractor and the grey body really takes on a dull 'chromie' like appearance (initial air entraptment during the emergence).

Thanks for watching.

[John Kent]

Nice pattern Don. There's a reason almost every buzzer (chironomid) pattern that comes out of the UK is tied with orange wingbuds. Very productive especially when the fish start getting selective. Have had some great days on Tunkwa/Leighton with them.

[Don Freschi]

Hi John,

Just received your chironomid pattern in the mail and it looks great. Can't wait to try it and tie some up.

Thanks,

Don

[John Kent]

Good to know Don, thanks. Have fun with it.

[Rob N.]

Hi Don,

Do you coat your chironomids with anything? Many of the tiers I know will use clear nail polish or a superglue coating for durability.

I like the idea of the painted wing buds. I've seen others use floss and then coat them with nail polish. This seems quicker and only one step.

[Don Freschi]

Hi Rob,

I do coat some of my chironomids with 'Hard as Nails' fingernail polish when I am tying bigger chironomids. I prefer to sacrifice the durablility for the thinner profile, for the Gunslinger. I will also substitute in flashabou instead of pheasant tail for the thorax, when I use the finish.

Thanks for watching.

[Tom knock]

Hi Don

Since your talking about chironomids .I would like to thank you ,Brian and Phil Rowley for a 50+ day of fishing today on the
CHROMIE !!!
See watching the show and buying the videos has made me into a pretty good flyfisher and a flytier.
Like the new website ,love the show and take care.

Tom

[Wayne Forsyth]

Hi Mr. Don, Wayne here .Fantastic,the best ever a true flyfisherman! I love your show,been watching for yrs.Catching your show on the early cable chan.It,s nice to see "Showbiz" has,nt spoiled you.Ive been tying& casting for yrs.(40+) I,m finally getting my chance of a life time!! My first real fishing trip in 25 yrs. I,m heading up to your neck of the woods,to fish the columbia river and Kootenay lake the 1rst 2 weeks of Sept. Ive watched every episode of that area repeatedly .Do you have any fall suggestions ,I,m targeting EVERYthing.A fish is a fish .Again your site is Awesome,Idon,t which artical to read or watch or to tie....system overload. Thanks for the best flyfishing shows out there,Hope to fish with some time .Tight lines and always have fun. Wayne Forsyth

[Matthew]

Hey Don, just want to say thanks for the Bulldog version, I recently began tying about a month ago and love your show and website. I must have been a flyer in a past life because i made this pattern about a week ago just messing around and when i saw the show I sat up and thought, this is my calling. Thanks God for the internet! Take care, if you have any ideas or advice for mid-Canadian trout ponds that hold big but highly spooked Rainbows and Brooks, the knowledge would be much appreciated. Entemology's not one of my strong points. Take care and keep them beauties coming!
Matt, Saskatoon Canada

[wayne forsyth]

Hey Don ,tried your gunslinger out at courtney lake mid Oct.The fish there prefer the yellow . I almost felt guilty as soon as I went to the GS ...FISH ON , one after another .Keep those web exclusives coming. tight lines .Wayne Forsyth ,Fraser valley

[Jordan O]

Don,
I read about what is being used to coat your chironomids, I have now switched over to LocTite Brushable super glue, the bristles are very stiff and your chironomids will come out smoother than glass without having to sacrifice that skinny profile, i have used it on size 20 2xs (dai riki #125) as well as size 20 2302 hooks and it hasnt bulked up any of my patterns

[Jim Smith]

Hi Don
I really enjoy the show and I try to watch every week, but how ever that does not always happen. I really like the fly but I was wondering what time of the year might cause this fly to be more productive? I live in the lower midwest, in the Ozarks to be exact and I have a couple of lakes that I am going to try them on.
I really like different situations that you fish and then going to the bench to show us how you would tye the fly and the different ways in which you can fish this fly. I also have not been at this as long as you have but I am learning.
Thanks again
Jim Smith in the southland

[bob from Portland]

HI Don, nice fly.
When I went to buy the puffy paint - I happened to notice that they had some in pistachio - I already use black puffy paint for chironomid bodies - now I have bunch of olive green chiros too !

for those that wonder - its a two part job - put on a white bead, underwrap in olive, tie in a red wire "about 3" - and tie it off - then on the other end of the wire , do another - two flies separated by wire - the wire makes a nice handle
Then paint he bodies with black or pistachio - holding the wire - then let them dry well.

back into the vise - wrap the red wire forward - end at the bead and overwarp with olive - or add some peacock hearl.
And orange or yellow buds to suit !

The painted body is shiny and the puffy paint depresses around the wire to form great 3D shiny segments.

[Ray Mule']

Don,

I used a Gunslinger with yellow wing buds to catch the largest cutthroat trout of my life today. I was fishing a high mountain lake in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana. Thanks for a great pattern!