Copper John

"Master the Lefty’s Deceiver: The Ultimate Predator Lure for Salt & Freshwater"

Crafting the Legendary Fly
Tied on a long-shank hook, the Lefty’s Deceiver combines bucktail and flash materials to create a lifelike, irresistible profile. Layers of bucktail form a tapered body, while synthetic fibers or flash enhance the wing for maximum visibility. Optional epoxy or stick-on eyes add realism, making this fly a standout in any fishery.

The Genius Behind the Design

"Master the Lefty's Deceiver: The Ultimate Predator Lure for Salt & Freshwater"

Pioneered by fly-fishing icon Lefty Kreh, this pattern revolutionized streamer fishing with its unmatched versatility and action. Kreh’s innovative approach to mimicking baitfish has made the Deceiver a must-have in every angler’s arsenal.

What It Imitates
From mullet and menhaden to shrimp and squid, the Lefty’s Deceiver flawlessly replicates a wide range of prey. Its adaptable design makes it deadly for targeting aggressive species in both saltwater and freshwater environments.

Where & How to Fish It
Ideal for flats, estuaries, rivers, and lakes, the Deceiver excels in open water where predatory fish hunt. While too large for small streams, its moderate size makes it perfect for everything from striped bass to pike. Fish it with varied retrieves—slow strips for lethargic predators, fast jerks to trigger reaction strikes—just like an EP streamer. A true all-around killer fly.

"Zonker Fly: The Ultimate Predator Lure – Mimic, Tie, and Fish Like a Pro"

How to Tie It
Crafted on a long-shank hook, the Zonker Fly combines chenille, dubbing, or synthetic materials to form a robust, cylindrical body. Its signature feature? A dynamic "zonker strip"—rabbit or squirrel fur—tied along the body, allowing the fur to flow freely beyond the hook. This creates an irresistible lifelike motion in the water. Enhance realism with hackle collars, epoxy heads, or weighted designs to mimic bottom-feeding baitfish.

What It Mimics

"Zonker Fly: The Ultimate Predator Lure – Mimic, Tie, and Fish Like a Pro"

This versatile fly perfectly replicates baitfish like minnows and shiners, as well as prey such as leeches. Its realistic profile, natural movement, and customizable colors make it a go-to for fooling aggressive predators.

Where to Fish It
A killer pattern wherever predators lurk! While ideal for freshwater species, the Zonker shines in murky saltwater too. Fish it with erratic retrieves—strip, twitch, or swing—to imitate a wounded or fleeing meal, triggering explosive strikes.

"Master the Copper John: The Ultimate Fast-Sinking Nymph for Unbeatable Subsurface Success"

The Copper John Fly: A Deep-Dive into Its Design and Effectiveness

Why It Works:
The Copper John is a fast-sinking nymph pattern designed to mimic mayfly and stonefly nymphs, featuring a weighted copper body for rapid descent. Its lifelike profile and natural movement make it a go-to fly for fooling fish feeding on subsurface insects.

How It’s Tied:
Built on a short or medium shank hook, the Copper John’s body is tightly wrapped with copper wire for weight and durability, often reinforced with ribbing. A peacock herl thorax adds contrast, while a Flashabou or Thin Skin wing case enhances realism. Topped with a tungsten or brass bead head, this fly sinks fast and stays in the strike zone.

What It Imitates:
A versatile generalist pattern, the Copper John effectively mimics mayfly, stonefly, and caddisfly nymphs. Its weighted design and natural movement trigger aggressive strikes, making it a must-have for nymphing success.

Where & How to Fish It:

"Master the Copper John: The Ultimate Fast-Sinking Nymph for Unbeatable Subsurface Success"

Ideal for rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds, the Copper John excels in deep or fast-moving water where quick sinking is crucial. Fish it dead-drifted, swung, or under an indicator—adjusting depth and retrieve to match feeding behavior. Year-round effectiveness makes it a staple in any fly box.

Pro Tip: Vary your presentation to find the sweet spot—whether slow-drifting along the bottom or stripping through submerged structure, the Copper John delivers when fish are keyed in on nymphs.

"The Prince Nymph: A Versatile Subsurface Fly for Year-Round Success"

How to Tie This Classic Pattern
The Prince Nymph is crafted on a short or medium shank hook, featuring a peacock herl body for a lifelike segmented appearance. Reinforced with wire ribbing for durability, it includes biot tails and legs tied in a V-shape for natural movement. White goose biots form the distinctive wing, while an optional brass or gold bead head adds weight and flash to enhance its appeal.

What It Imitates
This fly is a masterful imitation of subsurface insects like stoneflies, mayflies, and caddisflies, serving as a go-to generalist pattern. Its versatility makes it an excellent choice when fish aren’t rising, offering a convincing suggestion of multiple prey types to trigger strikes.

"The Prince Nymph: A Versatile Subsurface Fly for Year-Round Success"

Where and How to Fish It
Effective in all water conditions, the Prince Nymph shines when targeting fish feeding below the surface—particularly in colder months with limited hatches. Fish it using dead drifts, swings, or indicator nymphing, adjusting depth and retrieve speed to locate active fish. Whether bouncing along the bottom or suspended mid-column, this fly delivers consistent results.

"The Adams Fly: A Trout Angler’s Ultimate Versatile Dry Fly"

Crafting the Classic Adams
Skilled tiers create the iconic Adams fly by carefully combining grizzly and brown hackle, gray dubbing, and moose hair fibers. The hackle wraps around the hook to simulate delicate insect legs, while the dubbing forms a sleek body and the moose hair tail adds natural movement. This meticulous construction produces an irresistibly lifelike trout lure.

Nature’s Master of Disguise

"The Adams Fly: A Trout Angler's Ultimate Versatile Dry Fly"

What sets the Adams apart is its chameleon-like ability to imitate multiple aquatic insects. Its subtle yet effective design convincingly mimics mayflies, caddisflies, and midges—making it a must-have pattern that performs year-round across diverse fishing conditions.

Step-by-Step Tying Guide
For anglers looking to tie their own, detailed video tutorials demonstrate how to recreate this timeless pattern, ensuring perfect proportions for maximum fish-catching potential.