Search the Community

So I just tied my first deceiver and tried to follow the youtube video of Lefty tying it. I'm not crazy about the video because he isn't very clear about portions and things like that. It kind of reminds me of my grandmothers cooking recipes (add a little of this and let it cook for a while). The fly looks outrageously long. It measures about 7 inches and is tied on a size 1 hook. Please critique this fly and help me get better. Here are my questions: I am tying with strung rooster saddles. If I want them shorter can I cut the ends off before I tie it in or trim the tips after it is tied on or what? How do I get the red throat part to stay together instead of flaring out? Can you recommend a video tying a classic lefty's deceiver that has a good amount of detail. There are a lot of videos but each have there own way of doing things so I was hoping you folks could point out which ones don't stray to far from the classic pattern. Thanks

I got my vise on Sunday and have been impatiently waiting on today's mail to bring most of my tools. They just came in and I just finished my first fly. I would really appreciate some feedback and advice. Here are my questions after fly #1: -The fishing manager at Orvis recommended that I use a Mustad O'Shaughneesy 2XH/1XL Size 2 hook. Is that what I should be tying on? I noticed that a lot of people use hooks with more of a curved shank for the Clouser. I will be fishing for largemouth and striped bass on an 8 wt. Whats your opinion? - I definitely ended up crowding the head with the deer hair. I tried really hard not too because I have read that that is mistake most beginners make, but it really felt like I couldn't get the deer hair secure without getting more hair slid toward the eye. Any advice for this? -My flash seems to be really floppy or saggy I don't know what to call it. It just dangles way lower than the belly hair because it isn't as rigid. Is this an issue or will that not happen in water because it will be weightless? I tried to follow Bob's video exactly as I tied so it would be a real Clouser. I would love some feedback as Im sure yall can find much more for me to improve on (like I know the chartreuse hair is sort of tied in more to one side than the other). Please leave honest feedback (I've got tough skin) and give me any advice that you have so that I can improve. Thanks.