There is no argument that Lefty’s Deceiver fly pattern is not only easy to tie, adaptable to all manner of freshwater and saltwater targets, but is truly a very effective baitfish pattern. You can find a lot of different color combinations and sizes offered by fly shops and online retailers. In reality the Lefty Deceiver pattern is a fly style rather than a precise pattern. The style has two enduring components—a tail crafted with hackle feathers and upper and lower wings crafted with bucktail. What’s in between those components however can make for some very compelling variations. Baitfish forage that is available to freshwater and saltwater targets varies with the number of species present, seasonal variations, water conditions and structure. In essence there is no one deceiver pattern for all scenarios. Crafting different variations allows the tier to create flies that mimic preferred forage for their target species.
When crafting Deceiver variations I generally look for compelling components of other fly styles that can be incorporated into the Deceiver style. Two of my favorites are the Gartside Soft-hackle Streamer and the EP Baitfish styles. Both have attributes that blend well with the Deceiver style. The use of marabou and duck flank distinguish the soft-hackle streamer while fine, translucent fibers are the hallmark of the EP Baitfish style. To illustrate the variations idea, I’ll use a very common baitfish forage along the Florida Gulf Coast—the Finger Mullet. Two to five inches in length, Finger Mullet are juvenile mullet common on grass flats, along mangrove shorelines and in shallow potholes and channels. Anywhere you find large concentrations of mullet, Finger Mullet is available forage.
Flies imitating Finger Mullet are generally two toned—colored black to dark greenish gray on top over a gray to white belly. Some Finger Mullet display mild stripes or mottling more pronounced closer to the head.
The basic Lefty's Deceiver in a Finger Mullet color scheme
Variation using barred marabou under the wings
Variation using fine Diamond Hair behind barred marabou
Same fly when wet
Variation with two toned marabou and mallard flank under bucktail wings
Adding relevant elements from comparable patterns can often enhance basic patterns in many ways--interesting color and shading mimicking local forage, adding bulk to patterns to change shapes and adding elements that enhance movement and attraction. If you can fit it on the hook, give variations of your favorite patterns a try.
When crafting Deceiver variations I generally look for compelling components of other fly styles that can be incorporated into the Deceiver style. Two of my favorites are the Gartside Soft-hackle Streamer and the EP Baitfish styles. Both have attributes that blend well with the Deceiver style. The use of marabou and duck flank distinguish the soft-hackle streamer while fine, translucent fibers are the hallmark of the EP Baitfish style. To illustrate the variations idea, I’ll use a very common baitfish forage along the Florida Gulf Coast—the Finger Mullet. Two to five inches in length, Finger Mullet are juvenile mullet common on grass flats, along mangrove shorelines and in shallow potholes and channels. Anywhere you find large concentrations of mullet, Finger Mullet is available forage.
Flies imitating Finger Mullet are generally two toned—colored black to dark greenish gray on top over a gray to white belly. Some Finger Mullet display mild stripes or mottling more pronounced closer to the head.
The basic Lefty's Deceiver in a Finger Mullet color scheme
Variation using barred marabou under the wings
Variation using fine Diamond Hair behind barred marabou
Same fly when wet
Variation with two toned marabou and mallard flank under bucktail wings
Adding relevant elements from comparable patterns can often enhance basic patterns in many ways--interesting color and shading mimicking local forage, adding bulk to patterns to change shapes and adding elements that enhance movement and attraction. If you can fit it on the hook, give variations of your favorite patterns a try.