What materials do you use for zonker wings? 
That is a question I get a lot. In this post I will try to explain how I’m choosing materials for my wings.
First of all, the size of the fly determines what materials I cut my wing from. But other factors are also applicable such as what time of year and whether it’s for Seatrout or salmon. To make things easier I do it in seasons.
Early spring is often associated with cold, high and colored water. Here I use larger flies fished deep. Often you have to present the fly right in front of the fish. For these flies I use opossum and rabbit. Opossum is perfect for bigger flies, and here it’s important that you get a piece from the back of the animal it has the longest hair. If the water is dark and colored a strong contrast to the under water surroundings are Important. This is where the rabbit are fantastic.
A fly with rabbit wing for early spring
Late spring and summer I change tactics. The flies becomes smaller and I fish higher in the water. The fish will see the fly From below And I would like my wing to be a little more translucent. Opossum and ferrite does just that. For the opossum you have to get a piece from the side of the animal. Ferret is very similar to opossum but has shorter hair and the hair turns in the same direction. This make it a lot easier to cut a nice wing without having to sit and toss and turn the skin. Squirrel is also an ideal material for middle sized flies.
A middle size fly with opossum
Late summer and autumn where the water often are warm and clear I tend to use small flies. For that I use weasel and squirrel. The two materials are perfect for small flies. It’s also the season for night fishing after Seatrout’s big bulky flies are perfect for the job. Here j use rabbit and opossum again. Rabbit creates a sharp silhouette against the night sky. And the opossum is good for the biggest flies as I doesn’t absorb as much water as the rabbit. And at easier to cast.
Good night pattern for Seatrout’s
That’s how I do it hope I could inspire some
Tight lines
Kasper
Kasper Røjsmose
At the age of eight he got his first fly rod and a starter fly tying kit.
At the age of fourteen he started tying for the local fishing shop and then it took off from there.
He has now spent thousands of hours behind his fly tying vice and tied for several shops in Scandinavia and in Germany.
He also makes a lot of fly tying demos.
Kasper is a very versatile tyer he ties everything from the smallest dry flies to the biggest and meanest pike streamers.
But his biggest passion is the saltwater Seatrout flies, especially the shrimp flies.
He is always looking for new materials and new methods to make it easier and more effective.
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