The Deer Hair Popper Olive Bass Bug is a topwater bass fly known for its ability to create surface commotion and attract aggressive strikes from predatory fish, particularly bass. This version of the fly features no collar and includes black and white doll eyes for added realism.
Materials:
1. Hook: Wide-gap bass bug hook, sizes 1/0 to 6, such as the Mustad 3366 or Gamakatsu B10S, depending on the target fish and water conditions.
2. Thread: Olive or black, 3/0 or 6/0, for durability when spinning deer hair.
3. Body:
– Head: Spun and packed deer hair, dyed olive. The hair is spun tightly around the hook shank and trimmed to form a cylindrical or conical popper head. This shape creates the “popping” sound and splashes on the water when stripped.
4. Tail: A mix of olive bucktail and olive or black rubber legs. This combination provides a lifelike movement, imitating the legs of a frog or the flick of a baitfish’s tail. Add a few strands of crystal flash or flashabou for extra visibility, though not too much to overpower the natural look.
5. Legs: Olive or black rubber legs, tied on either side of the hook shank to give the fly added movement in the water. The legs imitate the kicking of a frog or the subtle undulations of a large insect.
6. Eyes: Black and white doll eyes, glued or tied onto the deer hair head for a lifelike appearance. These eyes add a key visual trigger that mimics the look of prey, attracting predatory fish.
Techniques for Spinning Deer Hair:
– Spun Deer Hair Head: The deer hair is packed tightly and then trimmed into a cylindrical or slightly conical shape. This creates a buoyant head that makes a popping sound when stripped through the water. Properly spinning and trimming the deer hair is crucial for achieving the right action on the water.
Target Species:
This Olive Deer Hair Popper is perfect for targeting largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in freshwater. It can also work well for other predatory species such as northern pike and muskellunge. The popper excels when fished around weed beds, lily pads, and structure, such as submerged logs or docks, where bass are likely to be ambushing prey.
The combination of the olive color, doll eyes, and the popper head makes this fly highly effective during the early mornings, late evenings, or in overcast conditions, when bass are more prone to feeding on the surface.
