| Fresh & Saltwater Flies |
My love for fly fishing started back in 1962; I was sixteen years old, and was a bass and
saltwater fisherman who had previously used conventional spinning and bait casting gear.
Soon after discovering fly fishing, I started to tie my own flies. This was out of sheer necessity,
since I couldn’t afford to support my recently acquired habit with store-bought flies. I bought my
first fly tying kit for eight dollars and proceeded to tie some strange flies with it. Some of the
results actually worked on bass, panfish and saltwater species. This inspired a love of
designing flies that has never left me. I’m always tinkering at the tying bench trying to create
that “silver bullet,” the fly that will catch every fish, every time. I’m still looking.
Some of the following flies are originals of mine, some are modifications of patterns from great
fly fishermen like Lefty Kreh or Bob Clouser. The entire fly patterns are time-tested, and were
specifically designed either to solve a fishing problem, to imitate certain bait, or to trigger the
attack instincts in a particular fish. You'll find an extensive variety of patterns. Some are tied
as attractor flies, while some are designed to look more realistic. A fish’s feeding mood and
attitude can range from very aggressive, through neutral to quite passive. Some of these flies
have been specifically designed to trigger strikes, no matter what mood the fish is in.
The fly patterns have been categorized for different fish, such as freshwater panfish,
smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, saltwater fish. Keep in mind, though, that many patterns
can be fished to other species as well, just by changing sizes. I will discuss there multi-uses
in the fly bios.
saltwater fisherman who had previously used conventional spinning and bait casting gear.
Soon after discovering fly fishing, I started to tie my own flies. This was out of sheer necessity,
since I couldn’t afford to support my recently acquired habit with store-bought flies. I bought my
first fly tying kit for eight dollars and proceeded to tie some strange flies with it. Some of the
results actually worked on bass, panfish and saltwater species. This inspired a love of
designing flies that has never left me. I’m always tinkering at the tying bench trying to create
that “silver bullet,” the fly that will catch every fish, every time. I’m still looking.
Some of the following flies are originals of mine, some are modifications of patterns from great
fly fishermen like Lefty Kreh or Bob Clouser. The entire fly patterns are time-tested, and were
specifically designed either to solve a fishing problem, to imitate certain bait, or to trigger the
attack instincts in a particular fish. You'll find an extensive variety of patterns. Some are tied
as attractor flies, while some are designed to look more realistic. A fish’s feeding mood and
attitude can range from very aggressive, through neutral to quite passive. Some of these flies
have been specifically designed to trigger strikes, no matter what mood the fish is in.
The fly patterns have been categorized for different fish, such as freshwater panfish,
smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, saltwater fish. Keep in mind, though, that many patterns
can be fished to other species as well, just by changing sizes. I will discuss there multi-uses
in the fly bios.
Saltwater Flies
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In saltwater fishing, the best-known mid-water fly is Lefty's Deceiver. This
combination of feathers and bucktail is often the first choice of experienced fly
fishermen. The Deceiver is a style of tying rather than a specific fly pattern.
This pattern is tied in about every color of the rainbow, and you'll find one that you
have confidence in and will use the most. One that has been very successful is The
Fisherman's Edge's (my old shop name) version of the Lefty's Deceiver. This
version carries a combination of white, pink and dark blue bucktail wings. It uses
paste-on eyes, with the head epoxied for durability. The combination of pink and
blue on the top of the wing produces the gradual blending of colors that is found on
menhaden, alewives and blue-backed herring, all of which are important Atlantic
Coast baitfish. This color combo flashes that subtle purplish color in the water that
can't be achieved if you use purple by itself. Fishing all over the world I have found
that I only needed two colors of this fly...the fore mentioned blue/pink and all white.
Size: 4/0, specify- blue/pink or white..................................................................$7.95 each
combination of feathers and bucktail is often the first choice of experienced fly
fishermen. The Deceiver is a style of tying rather than a specific fly pattern.
This pattern is tied in about every color of the rainbow, and you'll find one that you
have confidence in and will use the most. One that has been very successful is The
Fisherman's Edge's (my old shop name) version of the Lefty's Deceiver. This
version carries a combination of white, pink and dark blue bucktail wings. It uses
paste-on eyes, with the head epoxied for durability. The combination of pink and
blue on the top of the wing produces the gradual blending of colors that is found on
menhaden, alewives and blue-backed herring, all of which are important Atlantic
Coast baitfish. This color combo flashes that subtle purplish color in the water that
can't be achieved if you use purple by itself. Fishing all over the world I have found
that I only needed two colors of this fly...the fore mentioned blue/pink and all white.
Size: 4/0, specify- blue/pink or white..................................................................$7.95 each
You will find throughout, my fly pattern series use of a fire-orange thread head. This little touch
really gives the predatory fish a visible target and one, that adds up to greater success on the
water. You will also note that vast majority of my saltwater flies and some freshwater version
carry a epoxy head for durability.
really gives the predatory fish a visible target and one, that adds up to greater success on the
water. You will also note that vast majority of my saltwater flies and some freshwater version
carry a epoxy head for durability.
| Fisherman's Edge Deceiver |
The Clouser Deep Minnow is to the fly fisherman what the lead head jig is to the
spin fisherman. This is a creation of Robert (Bob) Clouser from Middletown,
Pennsylvania. Bob's great love is fishing for smallmouth bass on the
Susquehanna River. The pattern has dumbbell shaped eyes for weight, and uses
different colored bucktail and tinsel for the body. Lefty Kreh states that this is one
of the best underwater flies ever designed.
The Fisherman’s Edge version of the Clouser is tied a bit different from the
original for a purpose. In the usual method, the underbody is tied in over top of the
eyes before turning the hook over. However, any toothy fish (even trout) can and
will eventually cut the thread holding the bottom portion of the bucktail. The
material will flare out, and your sleek looking fly now looks like the hook point was
put into a light socket. Furthermore, it is now very likely to foul in the hook bend.
The F.E. version is tied with all of the bucktail on the same side of the hook
shank. This is especially important when fishing for fish like bluefish or
barracuda in the salt or members of the pike family
Size: #1/0, specify all white, all chartreuse................................................$2.95each
Epoxy heads.................................................$3.50each
spin fisherman. This is a creation of Robert (Bob) Clouser from Middletown,
Pennsylvania. Bob's great love is fishing for smallmouth bass on the
Susquehanna River. The pattern has dumbbell shaped eyes for weight, and uses
different colored bucktail and tinsel for the body. Lefty Kreh states that this is one
of the best underwater flies ever designed.
The Fisherman’s Edge version of the Clouser is tied a bit different from the
original for a purpose. In the usual method, the underbody is tied in over top of the
eyes before turning the hook over. However, any toothy fish (even trout) can and
will eventually cut the thread holding the bottom portion of the bucktail. The
material will flare out, and your sleek looking fly now looks like the hook point was
put into a light socket. Furthermore, it is now very likely to foul in the hook bend.
The F.E. version is tied with all of the bucktail on the same side of the hook
shank. This is especially important when fishing for fish like bluefish or
barracuda in the salt or members of the pike family
Size: #1/0, specify all white, all chartreuse................................................$2.95each
Epoxy heads.................................................$3.50each
| Joe Bruce's Clouser Minnow |
This is a fly which combines two of the most popular saltwater flies in the world
-- Clouser’s Deep Minnow and Lefty’s Deceiver. It is not a new fly, but
represents a tying style rather than a particular pattern. This style of tying was a
natural step to take, considering the success of the two individual flies on which
it's based. The Half-and-Half allows for greater length and bulk than can be
achieved by using bucktail alone (deer tails only grow so long). Furthermore, it
adds the undulating image of the saddles of the Deceiver to the jigging action
of the Deep Minnow. As with any fly which represents a tying style, many color
schemes and choices of materials can be used.
Size: 3/0, specify- white or chartreuse....................................................$6.95each
-- Clouser’s Deep Minnow and Lefty’s Deceiver. It is not a new fly, but
represents a tying style rather than a particular pattern. This style of tying was a
natural step to take, considering the success of the two individual flies on which
it's based. The Half-and-Half allows for greater length and bulk than can be
achieved by using bucktail alone (deer tails only grow so long). Furthermore, it
adds the undulating image of the saddles of the Deceiver to the jigging action
of the Deep Minnow. As with any fly which represents a tying style, many color
schemes and choices of materials can be used.
Size: 3/0, specify- white or chartreuse....................................................$6.95each
| White Half & Half |
| Chartreuse Half & Half |
The peanut bunker is an important baitfish along the Eastern Seaboard and
is relished by the saltwater predators and when the predators are on a certain
sizebait this can be the answer.This again, is my variation of two of the most
popular saltwater fliesin the world…. Clouser’s Deep Minnow and Lefty’s
Deceiver. Creating the Half & Half.
Size: #1/0.......................................................................................................$3.95each
is relished by the saltwater predators and when the predators are on a certain
sizebait this can be the answer.This again, is my variation of two of the most
popular saltwater fliesin the world…. Clouser’s Deep Minnow and Lefty’s
Deceiver. Creating the Half & Half.
Size: #1/0.......................................................................................................$3.95each
| Bruce's Peanut Bunker |
This is a “finesse fly. Tied with extremely thin saddle hackles and only a
1/50 oz. lead eye it averages between 6 to 7”, but I have tied it to 10 to 12.”
Big fish can’t leave it alone with it’s “walk-the-dog” and slow undulating
fall. It can be used with a floating line to “walk-the-dog”and watch the
predator come up to slam it. It sure rings their dinner bell when they don’t
seem to be in the mood for faster and deeper moving flies. Also I have great
success with this fly using sinking lines. This fly is another Half & Half.
Size: 2/0..........................................................................................................$6.95each
1/50 oz. lead eye it averages between 6 to 7”, but I have tied it to 10 to 12.”
Big fish can’t leave it alone with it’s “walk-the-dog” and slow undulating
fall. It can be used with a floating line to “walk-the-dog”and watch the
predator come up to slam it. It sure rings their dinner bell when they don’t
seem to be in the mood for faster and deeper moving flies. Also I have great
success with this fly using sinking lines. This fly is another Half & Half.
Size: 2/0..........................................................................................................$6.95each
| The FE Assassin |
Ask any fish that enters to and far the ocean, what is one of your most
delectable meals. The answer would be a squid (if fish could talk, I surely
have a lot of questions to ask). They are found in all the oceans of the
world and fish love to eat them. Along the east coast, they start showing up
around May in the Northern reaches and earlier in the southern waters.
Migrating fish use these mollusks for the protein needed for their long
travels and this makes them a food source that need to be part of your
saltwater arsenal.
Size: 4/0....................................................................................................$7.95each
delectable meals. The answer would be a squid (if fish could talk, I surely
have a lot of questions to ask). They are found in all the oceans of the
world and fish love to eat them. Along the east coast, they start showing up
around May in the Northern reaches and earlier in the southern waters.
Migrating fish use these mollusks for the protein needed for their long
travels and this makes them a food source that need to be part of your
saltwater arsenal.
Size: 4/0....................................................................................................$7.95each
| Bruce's Squid |
The largest population of baitfish in most bays of the Atlantic Coast
consists of spearing (often called silversides or glass minnows) and the
bay anchovy. These fish have many similarities, and they are often mis-
identified. At first glance they do look alike, but upon closer examination,
you will see that the anchovies don't possess the bright lateral line that
the silversides have from their cheek to the base of their tail. Instead
they have a less well-defined line running from the abdomen to the tail.
In addition, the anchovies have a bright silver abdomen and head that is
less translucent than the silversides. The bay anchovy is a smallish
bait, being from 1 to 2 1/2 inches, while the silversides are often equally
small, but can grow to 4 inches. Both minnows carry a pale gray back
with purple/pearl iridescence. The bay anchovy is a significant food
source for blues, Spanish mackerel, false albacore and stripers during
the summer and fall, and is one of the food sources most commonly
associated with breaking fish during these times. The Bruce's Bay
Anchovy is a fly that definitely “matches the hatch” in salt water, and
should be part of everyone's arsenal.
Size: #2................................................................................................$3.95each
consists of spearing (often called silversides or glass minnows) and the
bay anchovy. These fish have many similarities, and they are often mis-
identified. At first glance they do look alike, but upon closer examination,
you will see that the anchovies don't possess the bright lateral line that
the silversides have from their cheek to the base of their tail. Instead
they have a less well-defined line running from the abdomen to the tail.
In addition, the anchovies have a bright silver abdomen and head that is
less translucent than the silversides. The bay anchovy is a smallish
bait, being from 1 to 2 1/2 inches, while the silversides are often equally
small, but can grow to 4 inches. Both minnows carry a pale gray back
with purple/pearl iridescence. The bay anchovy is a significant food
source for blues, Spanish mackerel, false albacore and stripers during
the summer and fall, and is one of the food sources most commonly
associated with breaking fish during these times. The Bruce's Bay
Anchovy is a fly that definitely “matches the hatch” in salt water, and
should be part of everyone's arsenal.
Size: #2................................................................................................$3.95each
This is the second most abundant baitfish on the Coast, next to the bay
anchovy. The most prominent features of the silverside is the silver
lateral line and the seemly transparent body. This translucency can't be
achieved with the use of feathers or bucktail, but Ultrahair will produce
these results. The " Fisherman's Edges" version of this fly uses four
colors of Ultrahair to create that subtle change of colors from the belly to
the back of this baitfish. Another must fly for the our bay and tributaries
of our coasts.
Size: #2...............................................................................................$3.95each
anchovy. The most prominent features of the silverside is the silver
lateral line and the seemly transparent body. This translucency can't be
achieved with the use of feathers or bucktail, but Ultrahair will produce
these results. The " Fisherman's Edges" version of this fly uses four
colors of Ultrahair to create that subtle change of colors from the belly to
the back of this baitfish. Another must fly for the our bay and tributaries
of our coasts.
Size: #2...............................................................................................$3.95each
| Bruce's Bay Anchovy |
| Bruce's Ultra Silversides |
