Fly Of The Month

Nov 2002

Fly of the Month by: John Timmermann

The "Simple One"

This is a fly designed by C.Boyd Pfeiffer for saltwater use.
It is, as the name implies, a relatively simple fly to tie. In the right hands, it is a very good early season fly. Starting in late March or early April I use a #2 hook and tie the fly 1 ½ inches in overall length. As May closes, the fly will be on a 2/0 hook and between 3 to 3 ½ inches long I will continue with this size until the close of the season.

Materials:
#2 thru 2/0 standard shank stainless hook.

Bucktail:
Color choice is up to you- white is my early season favorite.

Flash:
Your choice- I use silver "Comes Alive" from Success Flies with my white patterns.

Thread:
Any heavy thread such as Orvis "G", 3/0 or "A" thread that will allow a decent head build -up. Color to match bucktail or accent white bucktail with red thread. I use white over white.

Eyes:
Silver with black pupil prismatic stick-on eyes. The smaller flies in the 1 ½ MM size and the larger a 2 MM eye.
Tying

1- Tie in base wrap from behind the eye to mid shank.

2- Tie in desired amount of flash and move thread forward to within ¼ inch of the hook eye.

3- Cut out a clump of bucktail, locate behind hook eye, and loosely secure
with 2 or 3 wraps.

4- Using your thumb, work the bucktail evenly around the hook shank. Then secure bucktail firmly in place with thread andform a tapered head. Whip finish and cut thread.

5- Place stick-on eyes on the head you just formed, and apply a few coats of Sally Hansens hard as nails or a coat of 5 min epoxy if you desire more durability.

Tie onto your tippet with a loop knot and fish with erratic strips. A seasons worth of these flies can be tied in an hour or so.