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Current Tags for This Pattern
/ Black / Bucktail / Flash / marabou / olive / Red / Saddle / Yellow /

American Eel

 
tied by Sean Juan
Fly Type: Bucktails/Deceivers,
Target Species: Striped Bass,
Recommended Region: Northeast US,
Imitation: General Baitfish,
Material List:
Hook - Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp Octopus Hook 5/0

Yellow Bucktail

4 Long Olive Barred Saddle Hackles

2 Long Yellow Barred Saddle Hackles

Olive Yak Hair

Yellow Yak Hair

Optional: Polar Flash Green/Gold Blend

Olive Marabou

Black EZ Braid (I'd perfer Olive but black is the only non-flashy color I've found so far.)

Black Thread
Tying Instructions: The first time I saw this pattern was at a show, only it wasn't for an Eel but a squid. The Only differences are the placement of the eyes, the colors, and the squid uses marabou to the hook eye. I apologize for not knowing the name of the person or the pattern for the orginal since this pattern is really just a variant.

Tie in a bucktail taill, this will be used to support the hackles.

Tie in the hackles Deceiver style, Olive inside then yellow. If you want to add the flash here - eels are not very flashy but I find a little does bring some attention.

To tie in the Yak hair fold it in half around the thread and place it so half the fibers are on each side of the hook. The idea here is to create a cage for the hackles to prevent fouling. You don't want to use so much that it restricts the action, just enough to keep everything where its susposed to be.

Palmer wrap the marabou to create a collar.

Push the EZ back over itself to create a nice head and to help tame the marabou.
Presentation Tips: Low and Slow. Eels crawl along the bottom and so should your fly, rocky areas are good, but I get my best results in marshes. I always use a fast sinking head with these flies.

As an aside this fly is a favorite with my brother who is a no-talent surf casting blasphemer. He fishes it with a carolina type rig on a spinning rod. Its hard to fish with him because of the brown paper bag I feel obliged to wear.