Fly Tying- The Bucktail Deceiver Fly

The Bucktail Deceiver Fly

The Bucktail Deceiver is a fly that myself and other Mad River Outfitters guides use extensively for Pike, Smallmouth and even Musky here in Ohio. It is basically a variation on Lefty's original deceiver with a bit of Bob Popovics innovation thrown in there. This fly was shown to me of course by the master, Pat Kelly and this color in particular is one of our favorites. Anyone who has been on a boat with myself or Pat has fished this fly! Although it's pretty easy, we thought we'd share it here on the YouTube Channel for those interested.

I hope you enjoy tying and fishing these as much as I do. Let your imagination run wild with variations and color schemes and be sure to share with us what you come up with.

Josh McQueen- June 2018

Bucktail Deceiver Recipe:

Hook: Partridge Universal Predator – 4/0  Click Here
Thread: Flat Waxed Nylon 210 – Fl. Yellow  Click Here
Tail: Big Fly Fiber- Sunrise  Click Here
Body: Bucktail- Fl. Yellow and Hot Pink  Click Here
Flash: Flashabou Mirage Blend- Fl. Yellow  Click Here
Cement: Brushable Zap-A-Gap or Hard as Hull  Click Here

Step 1: Secure hook in to vise and lay foundation of thread from hook eye all the back to the bend of the hook, allowing thread to hang between the barb and the point. Laying a thread base will ensure good traction for the materials that we will secure to the hook shank through out the tying process.

Step 2: Secure first bunch of fl. yellow bucktail to the hook, spreading hair evenly 360 degrees around the hook shank. Try to keep this bundle of hair pretty sparse as we will progressively be adding more bucktail to each bundle as we move of the hook shank. After securing bucktail to the hook shank advance thread about one hook eye width in front of the last tie in point and build a small bump of thread. This will serve as the prop for the next bundle of bucktail. (similar to the methodology used in Bob Popovics Bucktail Deceiver) 

Step 3: Tie in the next bundle of bucktail directly in front of the thread bump constructed in the previous step and distribute hair evenly 360 degrees around the hook shank. Once hair is evenly distributed around the hook shank make securing wraps over the bucktail back towards the thread bump causing the hair to flair. (this bundle of hair should be slightly more dense that the amount of hair used in step 2)

Step 4: Repeat the previous step one more time. Remembering to increase the amount of hair slightly as compared to the previous bundle as we are trying to build taper in the fly.

Step 5:  Secure the Big Fly Fiber on top of the hook shank with three loose wraps. Then use thumb and forefinger to distribute fibers evenly around the hook shank. After securing Big Fly Fiber build another thread bump/dam in front of tying point to use as a prop for the next bundle of bucktail.

Step 6: Repeat step 3 but in this stage of the fly we will switch over to the hot pink color of bucktail. You will also want to make sure you are continuing to use more hair than in previous steps. 

After securing and evenly distributing pink bucktail create another thread bump and repeat this step one more time. Giving you a total of two cones of pink bucktail. If for some reason you have more than one hook eye width left on the shank you may add third cone of pink bucktail. Once complete whip finish and cut thread. 

Add super glue or UV Resin to the thread head (eyes are optional) If using a UV Resin you will want to finish with a coat of Hard as Hull or Hard as Nails to give you a nice tack free bomb proof coating.  


Watch the Video:

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