New Otter's Soft Egg Material

Apparently I cannot figure out how to post more than one picture per post so here is a cluster I tied using the OS3 giving you the idea of what you can use this material for. I believe it will be coming out in many colors.

Wow, that fly does look good.

Guys: Go to scott@bearsden.com to get on his mailing list or call Scott at (508) 977-0700 to see if he has any more of the OS-3 material ( OS-3 stands for Otter's "Soft Sucker Spawn". He had OS-3 materials at the Somerset Fly Show, and he may have some left. If not, I know he will be ordering more.  The best colors, in my opinion, are the Buff (natural), Apricot, Apricot Opaque, Tangerine, Tangerine Opaque, and Tango and Tango/Silver Flash. But, we also have 8 other additional colors available. The one that  Steely 34 posted looks like the clear Apricot color. Steely 34- is this the correct color you used? Also, I have had reports from several friends that they are doing well for steelhead on this pattern, even with only 4 eggs on a #14 hook, up on the Catt, but only during clear water conditions, since this fly is so small.
Steely 34's picture is a neat deviation of how I usually tie this pattern. That's what makes fly tying so great-everyone can put their own "twist" on a fly to satisfy their personal tastes!
Also, if anyone wants the free tying instructions, just send me your e mail and I will forward a pdf file on this pattern, and my other egg patterns if you wish, plus helpful Notes on use of the materials. My e mail that you can get me at is softmilkingegg@hotmail.com. Thanks for the pictures, steely 34, and your discussion.
Walt Mueller Jr. , "The Otter"

Walt,
 
Got your email.  Thanks
 
Dan

Roadking, Most likely the eggs you found at Cabelas and Bass Pro are not the OS3 type material that Otter's just recently came out with. I've been looking at both stores on-line and although they do have the single and cluster eggs I have yet to see that they carry the OS3 material. This material is very new. Over the past few years though I have had much success with the egg material that is found at Bass Pro and Cabelas. I've mostly used it on Steelhead but I have caught trout on them. All colors seem to work just fine with no color really being my favorite. You do need to follow Walt Meuller's tying advice though. His method of tying them make them much more durable. Otter's soft eggs, from what I've found, is my go to material for steelhead. Hope this helps you out. I've found that bearlodgeangler.com is the best place to purchase Otter's eggs but they do not have the OS3 material yet.

Roadking,
The pattern you see on the picture is a variation of how Otter's ties them. I came up with it myself and use two seperate pieces of the OS3 material. One is a "link" of 3 and the other is a "link" of 4. I push both pieces onto the hook after I put some superglue on the shank. I then fold both pieces over and once again push the ends onto the hook shank - kind of like weaving the material onto the shank. I also use Otters veil material when I tie them. Again - I have yet to use the new OS3 material on steelhead but will be doing so in a few weeks. I also found that by mixing colors when tying these that a kind of translucent effect occurs making them look even better. At some pint - perhaps this weekend if I get some time - I'll post some step by step pics on how I tie these. Hope this helps. Keep on the lookout for the OS3 though - hopefully it will come out soon.

Next, cut two pieces of the OS3 material - one with a "chain" of 4 and the other with a "chain" of 5. Put some superglue onto the hook shank and "impale" the pieces onto the hook - through the eye just below the first row of eggs as shown. The os3 material has a flat side to it so make sure that the first set on the hook has the flat side toward the eye and the next set has the flat side toward the bend of the hook. This way the rounded egg side will be facing outwards on the finished fly.

Then fold the next piece and again "impale" it through the eye just behind the first row of eggs. The next step is very important to the durability of this fly. Dab a small amount of superglue on the top and begin taking a few wraps around the entire cluster beginning at the rear and working forward to the eye. Best results are achieved by using pink thread and wrapping between the rows. The pink thread will not show on the fly.

Finished fly using Otters new OS3 material. Hope this helps you out Roadking! Best of Luck to ya!
Call it Steelies Spawn if you want.

1roadking: Are you referring to tying up spawn sacks, in your 2/29/08/8:21PM posting? Let me know, and I can help you tying some out of our egg materials, in your normal nylon or polymide scarf materials! A drop of scent, and you only need 4 or 5 to use for a full day! I used them on my last trip to the Catt in November, and expect to use them again the first week of April.
Walt Mueller, Jr "The Otter"