July’s fly of the month is a variation on the deceiver fly originally created by the legendary Lefty Kreh. The deceiver is a fly that works anywhere, fresh or salt, nearshore or far. This is Blake’s version of the proven pattern.

Materials:

– Your favorite thread, somewhat heavy so you can put some pressure on it. I used 3/0.

– Lead Tape

– Saddle hackle

– Flashabou

– Chenille

– Bucktail

– Peacock herl

– Krystal flash

Step 1. Clamp hook in vise and wrap the shank with lead tape. Round lead wrapped around the shank will work also. Or no lead if you want a lighter fly. Start thread and lay a base over the shank and the lead. The lead tape that I use is sticky backed and normally used to stick on hard bodied floating lures to get them to sink or suspend.

Step 2. Select your desired amount of hackles for the tail. I normally use two feathers, but I decided to go with four on this one and dress it a little heavier than I normally would. Tie them in and wrap down to tidy up the hook shank

Step 3. Tie in flashabou, a few strands on either side. Trim it so that it is a tad longer than the hackles.

Step 4. Tie in chenille and wrap up the shank making sure to leave yourself enough room to finish the head.

Step 5. Tie in a grizzly hackle on either side. I should have tied them a little longer along with the tail. Fish won’t care.

Step 6. Select some bucktail fibers and tie them on the top of the hook. I like to press them down with my thumb to make them spread out around the top 1/3 of the shank.

Step 7. Select some other color for the belly of the fly and tie it in. This clump is normally a little bigger than the top clump. Do the same as above and press the butts to spread them around the hook shank to fill in the other 2/3.

Step 8. Tie in some peacock herl on the top.

Step 9. Tie in some red krystal flash on the bottom.

Step 10. Tidy up the head and whip finish. Apply some super glue to the head and stick on eyes.

Step 11. Once the eyes are tacked on there, mix up some epoxy and coat the eyes and head. Put it on a spinner to cure.

Finished fly. Mine always look a little unruly off the vise. If you run it under a little hot water and let it dry hanging from the hook eye, it should tame some of the fibers. Also, you can curve the herl like you do ribbon (ask your significant other for assistance)

Before wet/dry:

After wet/dry:

Proof of concept – freshwater:

Enjoy!