Paul's September 2025 Fly of the Month

 Hogan's Hot Butted Zonker

Hook:  Ahrex TP650 Size #2.

Thread:  Black White or Olive 6/0.

Bead:   5.5 Hot Orange Tungsten Bead.

Weight:  (Optional)  Wraps of .25 Lead free wire.

Butt:  White or Fluorescent Orange Thread with Hot Orange UV Fly Finish.

Tail/Top:  Rabbit Strip Zonker.

Body:  Spawn Mega White/Silver Dubbing or Senyo’s Lasor Dub.

Hackle:  Olive Hen Back Feather or Saddle.

Head/Collar:  Spawn Black Mega Dubbing or Senyo’s Lasor Dub.

This fly was developed to mimic a small bait fish. I find it’s a great fly for deep water.  You can use a spay rod to swing it, or a single hand rod when fishing it.  It’s proved to be very effective on the Housatonic River.  

To tie this fly place your bead on the hook.  The hook eye on the Ahrex TP650 is angled down at 26 degrees.  I found the hook to be extremely hard to find.  If you can’t find them, use a standard streamer hook.  With your bead in place, take some wraps of lead-free wire around the hook shank.  Butt it up against the bead to lock it in place.  I usually coat the wraps with UV Resin or super glue for durability. 

Next, you are going to form your Hot Orange Butt.  On the bend of the hook, just beyond the shank, take thread wraps of thread to form a base for your UV Resin.  The thread base should be approximately 2-3 hook eyes in length. Tie off your thread, add a drop of Orange UV Resin and cure.  I usually do this in stages with 2-3 coats of UV Resin to build a nice bead.  I’ll usually prepare my hooks with Beads, Weight, and Hot Butts, prior to completing the rest of the pattern.

Next, prepare and align your Rabbit strip on top of the hook shank.  It should be approximately a hook shank and a half in length.  I usually tie mine to extend a little further than a hook gap in length beyond the bend of the hook.  Preen the Rabbit strip hairs apart to create a tie in point.   Take 8-10 securing wraps with your thread.  Lift the rabbit strip and take some securing wraps in front of the tie in point.  To lock it in place you can half hitch your thread over the Zonker and hook shank or apply a drop of UV resin.  I do both.  Sweep the excess Rabbit strip reward.

Next, lightly dub a noodle of Spawn White Mega Dub for your body.  As an alternative to this, you can create a dubbing loop with the material for your body.  Once on the hook shank pull the material down towards the hook point.  I use my fingers and a toothbrush to accomplish this.   Trim it even with the hook point of your fly.

After completing your body, bring your Rabbit strip forward.  Like you did at the rear, part the hair fibers to create a tie in point at the head.  Remember to leave enough room for your Hackle and Collar.  Now take wraps to secure your Rabbit strip to the hook shank.  Cut the excess Rabbit strip off at an angle in line with the hook eye. Cover the butt end with thread wraps creating a tapered head. 

Next, prepare your Hackle by stroking the fibers of the feather rearward.  You are going to tie it in by the tip of the feather.  Take 3-4 wraps of the feather, tie it off and cut off the butt end.  Finally, dub a Collar/Head of Black Spawn Mega Dubbing between the Bead and your hackle.  Whip finish the fly behind the bead and you’re done. 

Loon outdoors has a great video on how to tie this fly below:

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of The Month I can be reached at pdinice@frontier.com .