Equipment needed

1. Fly tying vice
2. Fly tying whipping device
3. Black cotton.
4. 40lbs Black Amnesia.
5. Longshanked Carp Hooks
6. Fly tying head cement/varnish or superglue
7. 3mm Stainless Rig Rings.
8. Scissors & a sharp knife

The idea of this rig, is that when / if the Carp blows the bait out of its mouth, just the bait comes out and the hook stays in the mouth.
The bait, which is attached to the stainless rig ring, slides down the “D” leaving the hook inside the mouth increasing the chance of hooking the fish.

 

Step 1.

Cut a short length of Amnesia about 6cm – 8cm and whip it to the back of the shank of the hook (see fig 1.) making sure it sits just where the bend in the hook starts.

Step 2.

Then place the stainless rig ring onto the Amnesia and whip the loose end of the Amnesia to the shank of the hook forming the “D”. (See Fig 2.)

Place the loose end through the eye of the hook as this keeps it in place whilst you are whipping it on. When it is secure, trim the loose end of Amnesia off leaving the eye free.

Step 3.

Continue whipping the Amnesia to the shank of the hook until it has been completely covered by the cotton thread (see fig 3.).

Tie the thread off and then varnish or glue the whole of the whipping and let it dry.

Step 4.

When it is dry, you can then tie of the hook length of your choice.
You can also make these hook rigs with smaller shanked carp hooks as I have (see fig 4.).

They are based on the same principle.
This a very cheap way to make “D” rig hooks without paying lots of money for them in the shops.
Pictured below are a couple of variations of the rig with different sized hooks.

The Mini 'D' Rig Hook

Mini 'D' is another 'D' rig style pattern that works best with pop-ups. Unlike the Anti-Eject, the Mini 'D' Rig has a short shank hook, the very popular Series 2. Featuring an in-turned point and wide gape, the Mini 'D' has a stiff mono loop whipped onto the back of the shank and a rig ring for bait attachment. The bait is tied onto the ring with bait floss, allowing it to pivot on the 'D'. Giving the bait a degree of free movement so it appears natural but maintains it in a position similar to that created by the 'swimmer' rig. Because the hook has a wide gape and a very sharp in-turned point, it hooks wary fish that 'mouth' baits without taking them confidently.

The Mini 'D' version with a short shanked hook.

 

By Chris Thornhill