Rob, This is really a 2-part question from you: 1. What are the proper proportions for a deceiver? 2. What is the proper hook for a deceiver?
Answers: ( IMHO of course ) 1. Since a deceiver is meant to imitate baitfish, the length, color, and proportion should match the bait that your intended game fish are feeding on- i.e., sardines, menhaden, mullet, or whatever. Check out the 2nd issue of the Art of Angling and go to the last article for a rundown on awesum hair patterns. But from clousers, deceivers, and on up to giant streamer patterns, the trick is to imitate a baitfish with a flyfisherman's abilities/equipment in mind. Although simple is good when it comes to patterns, one must use whatever it takes to entice takes. I have found that motion and speed of retrieve is crucial, then flash and color. Saltwater game fish seem to hit anything if it is moving fast enough, as baitfish are really fast swimmers. Surface flies need to raise a lot of commotion to be really effective. 2. The hook you choose can be as important as the fly you tie on it, but given that, most hooks will work to a certain degree. It's just that some hooks have certain qualities that lend better to a certain situation. Of course, saltwater hooks need to be corrosion-proof. Then they need to be strong, sharp, and properly shaped for the quarry. I like semi-circle hooks in double extra strong wire for mid to large flies (4" to 6" long), and for trailer hooks on 6" to 12" long flies. Long-shanked hooks tend to bend or twist out on very strong fish or fish that twist a lot when they fight. Short-shanked hooks hold better and are tougher for the fish to bend, but trust me, even they will be bent occasionally, even the extra-heavy wire models. I prefer to tie larger saltwater patterns with a trailer hook and a short wide-gapped front hook rather than a long-shanked hook. My 2 cents DonO ----- Original Message ----- From: Rob Blomquist <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, June 09, 2002 2:42 PM Subject: [VFB] Deceiver Proportions Getting the obvious out of the way, I would say Jimmy is the biggest deceiver, as he really is a twelve year old little girl named Amanda in New Orleans. With that out of the way, I am wondering about how you saltwater guys proportion deceivers. I see them tied on Mustad 34007 but that seems to be a long hook for a pattern that is just a collar and a tail, without any body. I have been kicking this around for awhile, and I am wondering if there was an accepted solution for it. Rob -- Rob Blomquist Kirkland, WA On the side of the software box, in the 'System Requirements' section, it said 'Requires Windows 95 or better'. So I installed Linux and lived happily ever after.
