Clender Smolt

Created by Jeff Morgan

HOOK: Mustad 79580, size 2-6 WING: White Polar Aire, pearl Mini-Flash, and Holographic pearl Flashabou OVERWING: Black Krystalflash BODY: Small pearl mylar tubing. Coat with Soft-Tex after fly is constructed. EYES: Silver/black 3-D molded eyes

Uses

Imitates a salmon or steelhead smolt. Smolts travel downriver in their migration to saltwater. Along the way, they are often eaten by smallmouth bass and other predators.

 
This pattern also imitates chub, shiners, whitefish, and baby trout. It is useful in trout waters in late summer and early fall.

 
See the article Baitfish for Smallmouth . . . and Trout

How to Fish

Use a count-down-and-retrieve presentation with a slow-sinking tip line. Vary the speed of the retrieve. Good places to present the fly are current seam and near structure, such as boulders.

Tying Instructions

1. Debarb hook, place in vice, start thread

 
2. Tie in White Polar Aire, Pearl Mini-Flash, Holographic Pearl Flashabou, Black Krystalsplash. Whipfinish and superglue. Trim thread.

 
3. Slide mylar tubing over body. Tie down at head of fly.

 
4. Build small head. Whipfinish and trim.

 
5. Paint back with black permanent marker

 
6. Apply Soft-Tex to the entire body. Allow Soft-Tex to get tacky. Apply eyes.

 
7. Apply final coat of Soft-tex