I tied a few of these this weekend and received a comment (Josh McFadden @ hatchhunters.com) that I shouldn’t use an under layer of chenille, or anything but flattened lead and multiple layers of the wrapped condom. I experimented, based upon those suggestions, and it was a better result. Also, I used an orange condom rather than red (I haven’t tried the Vladi Pink). I liked the color potential here. The darker central portion was the securing thread wraps over the flattened lead. After quite a few thread wraps the black thread shows through. If I wanted to lose that affect, I might choose a different color thread. Not sure I want to.
SwittersB & Exploring 
I was a volunteer yesterday at the first day of the regional USA Fly fsihing tournament on Spring Creek, near State college, PA. Conditions were pretty bad with most contestants getting “skunked”.
One contestant hit 18, yes 18 on the condem fly. Unbelievable….I’m in the proces of tying one today..
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SO COOL!!!
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Well, traditionally, it is a river pattern, tumbled down a run like an aquatic worm. In smaller sizes, the tying technique could be interesting for larger chironomids for lakes. The hooks are a size 6, 3xl streamer hook. I think and even larger hook could be used, by that I mean a longer shanked hook (4xl ?) The pattern should be dredged along the bottom like most heavy nymphs. It is going to get hung up, lost and nail you in the back of the head until you develop the techniques of chucking and ducking or throwing a shorter line (Cz. Nymphing) Good luck.
SB
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