Step by step photographic lessons of Salmon Flies are in my eBook

One of the advantages when using alasticum wire is that it does not rust another is that it comes in different breaking strains. I normally use the 29lb breaking strain wire and have had no problems with it. I have personally had fish up to twenty pounds and seen fish much larger caught with these traces.		Click for full size
The minnow shown is a two and a half inch. The tricky part is cutting the wire to the right length however I find it helps if you lay it out as shown. I then double the wire and add about half an inch at each end. It is far better to be too long than too short as you can always cut off the excess.		Click for full size
The next stage is to assemble the pieces in the right order, first add the swivel and then the tulip. Finally thread each end of the wire through opposite sides of the hook eye. At this point it is important to position the treble at the right length for the minnow. The picture shows the trace carefully measured out against the minnow. At this stage I grab the eye of the hook with the pliers trapping the wire at the same time, this stops things slipping out of position.		Click for full size
With the eye firmly held by the pliers turn each end of the wire with your free hand and start the wrapping process, as shown.		Click for full size
After the first couple of turns you can release the grip and finish winding with the pliers. Grip the wire ends with the pliers and hold sin position, rotate the hook rather than the pliers.		Click for full size
At this point you can add a dab of super glue or varnish over the wound section of wire. To slide the tulip onto the eye I place the trace into the minnow and use the minnow body to push the tulip over the eye.		Click for full size
Finally grip the swivel with the pliers, the hook with your other hand and twist the wire to stiffen. A stiff trace can be a blessing if your hands are frozen :-) When gripping the swivel be extra careful not to damage the eye which attaches to the nylon.		Click for full size
The picture shows a correctly sized trace which is very important. If the trace is too long the minnow often turns over on itself and you find it comes in backwards. If it is too short you risk fraying the nylon against the edge of the monnow hole.		Click for full size
A tiger striped tri-color yellow belly which is an excellent choice for spring salmon. Please leave a fish for me :-)		Click for full size