Hareline Chocklett's Sili Skin

What it is

Chocklett’s Sili Skin is a translucent synthetic sheet that comes as a one-sided, adhesive-backed tape. At the vise it feels gummy and has a glossy surface; when you pull on it, it stretches a long way and then rebounds to keep the shape you built into it.

What to tie with it

Use it as a wrap-on body shell for baitfish and minnow streamers, or as an overlay to add a smooth “skin” over a built body. It also shines for shellback work on scuds and for casing-style backs on shrimp and crab patterns, where you want a translucent body shell without having to paint on epoxy or add separate glue.

Flies and the fish they're for

Chocklett’s Gummy Minnow is the headline pattern here, and Sili Skin is what gives it that see-through baitfish body; it’s commonly fished for trout in rivers and tailwaters when they’re chasing small minnows, and it crosses over to smallmouth and other predators that key on baitfish. Tiers also reach for it in Hise’s Ooey Gooey Grub style patterns, which are used as small streamer/grub meals for trout and bass in moving water and stillwaters.

How it compares

Compared to tying a body from synthetic fibers or tinsel, this sheet doesn’t give that rubbery “mouthfeel.” Against other sheet body materials, the built-in adhesive means you can skip a separate glue step, though some other sheets can be stretchier.