Introduction
One of the most anticipated times of the year is when the warmwater lakes begin to reach their peak temperatures of the summer. For the midwest this begins to occur around the end of June extending through the beginning of August. Water temperatures begin to hit the high 70’s and enter into the low 80’s. When this happens the Largemouth Bass’ metabolism is peaking. Bass begin to actively hunt the shallow water making topwater and diving flies very effective.
Fly Tying Seminar
In addition to being a very effective group of flies for midsummer this is also one of my favorite group of flies to tie. While all these patterns are possible to tie with foam or balsa there is just something about a well tied deer hair bass bug that is very satisfying. I also think that because of the nature of the material bass will hold on to a deer hair bug longer that other harder materials making hookups more certain. When bass move shallow they are definitely opportunistic feeders and most bass flies will work, however juvenile Bluegill are normally one of the most readily available food sources. I will be tying both the Waking and Diving Birdfur Baitfish patterns that mimic the color scheme of a small Bluegill. Many bluegill patterns include bright yellows and oranges, however these are the spawning colors of a mature Bluegill. The juvenile Bluegill has a white belly with a light grey side and a watery grey/green back. One of my other favorite color schemes is a frog colored fly. I will be tying both a topwater and diving version of a deer hair frog. I probably use a frog colored scheme more that any other during the course of the summer and the bass never seems to getting tired of it.
This is a great pattern to use with one of the clear intermediate sink tip lines. Work it slow like a struggling baitfish in the surface of the water.- Hook: TMC 8089N (#6)
- Thread: UTC 140 Black (for the Tail), (Gel Spun) 130 (for the Head)
- Tail: Super hair with White Icelandic Sheep, Natural Ceram Bird Fur, Gray Icelandic Sheep, Larva Lace Angle Hair Pearl Sparkle. Grizzle Bird Fur on sides, Heron Bird Fur on top
- Gills: Hairline Ice Fur (Red)
- Head: Dun Grey Deer over White Deer
- Eyes: Clear Cure Eyes (6mm, Agate)
- Hook: TMC 8089 (#6)
- Thread: UTC 140 Black (for the Tail), UTC GSP (Gel Spun) 130 (for the Head)
- Tail: Olive Grizzle over Cream Bird Fur with Larva Lace Angle Hair Pearl Sparkle. Oliv, Yellow and White Whiting Black -- Laced Hen on sides, Olive and Yellow Whiting American Collar
- Head: Olive, Yellow, and Black Deer over White Deer
- Legs: Hareline Grizzle Barred Rubber Legs Medium (Olive, White, and Yellow)
- Eyes: Clear Cure Eyes (6mm, Monster)
- Hook: TMC 8089N (#6)
- Thread: UTC 140 Black (for the Tail), UTC GSP (Gel Spun) 130 (for the Head)
- Tail: Super hair with White Icelandic Sheep, Natural Cream Bird Fur, Gray Icelandic Sheep, Larva Lace Angel Hair Pearl Sparkle. Grizzle Bird Fur on sides, Heron Bird Fur on top
- Gills: Hairline Ice Fur (Red)
- Head: Dun Grey Deer over White Deer
- Eyes: Clear Cure Eyes (6mm, Agate)
- Hook: TMC 8089 (#6)
- Thread: UTC 140 Black (for the Tail); UTC GSP (Gel Spun) 130 (for the Head)
- Tails: Olive Grizzle over Cream Bird Fur with Larva Lace Angle Hair Pearl Sparkle. Olive, Yellow and White Whiting Black -- Laced Hen on sides, Olive and Yellow Whiting American Collar
- Head: Olive, Yellow, and Black Deer over White Deer
- Legs: Hareline Grizzle Barred Rubber Legs Medium (Olive, White and Yellow)
- Eyes: Clear Cure Eyes (6mm, Monster)
Suggested Reading
- Bergman, Ray. (1947 6th Edition) “Freshwater Bass”. New York, NY. Alfred A. Knopf
- Pfeiffer, C, Boyd. (2003) “Tying Warmwater Flies”. Iola, WI. Krause Publications
- Reynolds, Barry And Berryman, John. (1995) “Beyond Trout”. Estes Park, CO. Spring Creek Press
- Whitlock, Dave (2000) “Fly Fishing For Bass Handbook”. New York, NY. The Lyons Press