Docsflies - Lefty Kreh's Deceiver

Materials and color schemes may be substituted to match local bait variations or artistic flare. Many more Deceiver variations available for viewing at Your flies.

History

Lefty Kreh's Deceiver has always been a classic. Travis Collins has taken this time tested pattern and altered it, keeping things simple and sparse. I've included minor adjustments to Travis's pattern. Click here to see Travis's Deceiver version.

Tying instructions

Lefty's Deceiver

STEP 1:

Using the mono thread, tie a solid thread-base to the hook. A solid base will help prevent materials from rotating around the hook once the fly is finished. Gluing between each following step is optional and dependent on fly tyer’s personal preference.

Lefty's Deceiver

STEP 2:

Select four feathers (length dependent on size of desired fly). For a 4/0 hook, feathers should be 5-6” in length. All feathers should be relatively the same length and should include 2 sets of paired feathers (cupped the same direction). Prep the feathers by cutting the stem leaving 1¼” of webbing. Strip the last ¼” of webbing off. The 1” webbing will provide more body to the fly and a transition to the deer hair. Tie 2 feathers to each side (cupped in).

Lefty's Deceiver

STEP 3:

Tie-in several strands (approximately 4-12) of Flashabou directly over top of the feathers. The Flashabou should extend an inch beyond the feathers (Flash-tail style).

Lefty's Deceiver

STEP 4:

Tie-in several stands of Gliss-N-Glow for the cheek. The easiest way to accomplish this is by cutting the full length of the material and halfing itself around the thread and tying-in each portion to one side of the hook. Cut the Gliss-N-Glow unevenly approximately the length of the deer hair you expect to use.

Lefty's Deceiver

STEP 5:

Select a small bundle of deer hair. Hair can be hand stacked if desired but a commercial stacker should not be used. Tie-in the bundle on the top of the hook. While tying-in, the hair can be wiggled to the sides to allow some side coverage. Hair should extend at least the length of the cheek.

Lefty's Deceiver

STEP 6:

Repeat step 5 with a second bundle, but split the bundle in half allowing it to settle on each side of the underside of the hook. Secure the material well.

Lefty's Deceiver

STEP 7:

Trim the deer hair carefully with sharp scissors. If too large an amount of deer hair is cut, the deer hair may swivel around the hook. Cut the hair in a tapered shape. Wind the thread through the tapered deer hair head.

Lefty's Deceiver

STEP 8:

Tie-in the over-flash directly over the deer hair for the dorsal color of the fly. The over-flash should extend approximately the length of the feathers. Finish the head with a nice taper, whip-finish and cut the thread.

Lefty's Deceiver

STEP 9:

Add a small amount of Zap-A-Gap to the head and add an eye to each side. Secure the eyes by spraying Zip-Kicker. Repeat Zap-A-Gap/Zip-Kicker to fill-in gaps if necessary.

The fly is finished and ready to be fished.

Additional Comments:

1. Travis Collins's version is tied sparse but emphases a wide profile by how the deer hair is tied-in. Additionally, Travis uses very sparse flash. The olive over-flash is replaced with cerise.

2. The selected hooks may rust after fishing if not rinsed in freshwater.

3. The hooks were selected for strength and weight. The hook’s weight compensates for the natural buoyancy of deer hair.

4. The Owner hook may be more desirable due to its Cutting Point, which aids in penetration.

5. Although the Zap-A-Gap/Zip-Kicker smell is very pungent, it does not appear to affect the fly’s effectiveness.

6. As with any pattern, material, color and size may be adjusted. Generally, the overall length of the fly will measure 5 – 7 inches.

Travis Collins's version of Lefty Kreh’s Deceiver is very effective. Try it for yourself.

Another color option (Chartreuse/White):

Lefty's Deceiver