Bob Popovics, Bob's Banger

Fly fishing has many rewards to satisfy today's sportsman. A good well placed fly or an exhilarating fight can be remembered through even the toughest of times.

One story we may all have in common would be one of a reckless charge of a bluefish or an explosion of a crazed trevally crushing a surface offering. Fly fishing with poppers is exciting as it get. The visual impressions stay with us always. A well stocked fly fisher should never be without a few poppers and for the most important reason of all - they work! - and many times when nothing else will.

Years ago, balsa wood or cork were the premier saltwater poppers. Although they were very effective, they has some serious drawbacks. Use of special tools, messy, the use of paints and glue forced many a fly tier to go outside to do the job. In the end, it many times took 1 fish to destroy the popper - there must be a better way! My challenge was to produce a popper with durability, no special tools, no glue or paint, and most importantly, be tier friendly!

Today's modern synthetics can take the credit for improving popper design. "Livebody", a close cell foam, by Clemens Tackle, Allentown, PA., was my choice for the "Banger Project". It was durable, light and came in many colors. Cylinders of 2" in length with widths of 1/2 - 5/8 - 3/4 were all I needed to create a variety of sizes for different occasions. I cut the 2" cylinder in half with a razor blade to make 2 banger heads. (scissors work as well) by searing a hole through the center. The banger head would then always be in the right position on the hook - glue would not be necessary. For color, the livebody had plenty to choose from, but I opted for some bright prism tape to help me see the banger better in the water. Cut it to fit length wise and rolled it on about 2 times around to secure it.

The used large prism (stick-on) eyes to finish banger head. For the hook a 4x long shank was best. Wrap the entire hook shank with rod-wrapping thread and place some bucktail at bend of hook, estas for gills to half shank and tie off. Treat thread with head cement, slide finished hook through finished head…

Done, durable, and ultra simple.

You can't get better than that. Bluefish are damned, it'll take more than just one of you now!

Also see: Tying Bob's Banger, Instructional video - approx size 9MB. Video will open in a popup window, if you have a popup blocker be sure to allow this window.

Materials List:
Hook: 911S Tiemco - 66SS Eagle Claw - 34011 Mustad
Thread: "D" Rod Wrapping Thread (any color)
Wing: Bucktail
Overwing: Olive Super Hair
Trim: Estaz (cactus chenille)
Trim: Prism Tape - Witchcraft Tape Product

Trim: Prism Eyes - Witchcraft Tape Product
Body: Livebody Cylinder sizes from 1/2" to 3/4"
Many of the following items are available at your local shop.