Waddington Shank set up

[JoeSperanza]

Waddington shanks are just as the name suggests- a shank to tie on. Very similar to cotter pin, which a lot of people use, but a Waddington has loops at both ends. I wanted to use them for pike with a steel loop at the end and if needed be able to cut the hook off and still be able to use the fly. I have tied on these before and I lash down a loop of super braid or wire with the thread and don't run into the potential problem of the loop slipping through the cut in the shank.

Shank with the cut


So I just slipped over a piece of junction tube so the loop can not back through the cut in the shank


And here's what I came up with so the steel loop can be replaced if I need to cut it



If anyone has any suggestions or see any problems with this set up, voice it, I want to see what everyone else thinks or suggests.

Joe

[Frank Swarner]

Looks fine Joe......good idea!!

[JoeSperanza]

Thanks Frank, it seems like a lot of PNW tyers are using wire on "shank" flies, the wire seems to keep the hook where it needs to be, that's one reason I looked to the Waddingtons, I was watching my fly( tied on a tube) in the water while stripping, on the pause, the tube would drop below rabbit tail and look un-natural, plus the shank weighs less, casting should be a little easier with a little less weight too

[JoeSperanza]

Well, this set up seems to work just fine, I got to test it out, even had to cut a hook off cause one of the pike had lock-jaw and would not open his mouth so I could get the hook out, the set up even held up against a 27 incher, now I need a 47 incher to really test it out. I was able to cast the fly anywhere between 60 to 80 feet without a problem, space permiting of course. The shank is so much lighter that the tube there was no "thump" at the end of the cast, just a smooth cast, even roll casted it about 50-60 feet. I watched the fly in the water and it moved more natural, no tube hanging down at rest, I still love tubes jsut not for a slow retrieve. I'll keep you posted

[Frank Swarner]

That's interesting Joe. You've got me thinking about steelhead in slower currents......hmmmm