The SaltySix OO
Six saltwater fly patterns you can’t live without. Text and photos by Angelo Peluso
VER THE COURSE of researching and writing three fly-fishing books, I’ve had the good fortune of talking with literally
hundreds of fly-fishing guides, cap- tains, and professional and amateur fly-tiers from Maine to the Texas Gulf Coast. In the process, I’ve had the opportunity to examine more than 1,200 flies, including some of the best saltwater flies that have ever been tossed at fish. Some of those patterns were originals, but most were innova- tive modifications of tried-and-true designs, each in its own way a mar- velous creation of art imitating life. Inevitably perhaps, I got to thinking about paring down all the flies I’ve seen to a select list of a half-dozen I would want to take with me into the next life if I could — a heavenly fly wallet, as it were. At first it seemed like a daunting, if not impossible, task. Limiting dozens of favorites to a mere six would take some serious deliberation, but then I had a heavenly revelation: select pat- terns that represent styles of tying rather than choosing individual flies. With that as an operating premise, I embarked on the journey of selection for the essential six-fly wallet.
some size shape or form in fly boxes everywhere I’ve fished, even on remote tidal streams on the Alaska Peninsula. It is hailed as one of the greatest pat- terns of all time and is one of the most
In Lefty’s own words, the Deceiver is a “style of pattern,” rather than a singular fly.
imitated patterns in all of fly-fishing. I once counted more than one hundred variations of Deceivers offered for sale in various catalogs and online websites. Even with fishing flies, imitation is the truest form of flattery. Most anglers who regularly fish the Deceiver have tweaked it a bit to suit personal preferences and needs, and that is the true beauty of the fly — it lends itself to tinkering. In Lefty’s own words, the Deceiver is a “style of pat- tern,” rather than a singular fly. Just about every fish that swims loves it. In its infinite variations, the fly can replicate most any baitfish size and coloration. By varying the fly tying material one can also change the profile of the fly to more closely replicate the silhouette of most prey species. It is, quite simply, an amazing
creation. NUMBER 2: CLOUSER DEEP MINNOW NUMBER 1: LEFTY’S DECEIVER
My first choice is an easy one. The Lefty’s Deceiver is the epitome of a fly pattern. When pressed to choose one fly to count on in a pinch, many saltwater fly anglers across the globe reach for the respected Lefty’s Deceiver or some fit- ting variation. I’ve seen Deceivers of
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Hot on the heels of the Deceiver is Bob Clouser’s original Deep Minnow. He created his world-famous “min- now” for smallmouth bass in his home water, the Susquehanna River. In many respects — and as is the case with most all truly great flies — there is simplicity in its design. Fundamentally, the fly is an upside-down hair pattern with a
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The genius of the Deep Minnow is in the way the components are assembled.
wing, some flash and a pair of barbell eyes set like those of a predecessor, the Crazy Charlie, or some earlier flies of anonymous origins in the southeast and Gulf Coast regions of the United States. But the genius of the Deep Minnow is in the way the components are assembled. It is one of those flies that makes you say, “Now why didn’t I think of that?”
It is a very versatile fly, adaptable to size, color and profile preferences. While there is actually one original and specific tying recipe for the fly, it has proven successful in many modified forms. The fly can be tied in slender profile micro-to-magnum sizes and the basic design can be modified for use with any number of natural or synthet- ic tying materials.
NUMBER 3: EPOXY BAITFISH
The generic epoxy baitfish has earned a place of distinction among the best of the all-time fly patterns. It is a very versatile design and when tied
TIDE
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