I have great success with these deer hair bugs for smallmouth when the streams get low. Mainly in part because with these surface bugs I can cast further than poppers. I wade carefully upstream and cast back under the shade trees along the banks. Plan on using a slow-line hand stripping action to swim the bugs slightly faster than the current is pushing it. This crawling action often lures large bass to the surface.
Tying Blue Dragon Deer Hair Bugs
Hook: Mustad 3906, size 4
Thread: Size 3/0 Prewaxed Monocord, Black
Body: Blue and yellow deer hair
Tail and skirt: Blue and yellow hackle
Apply six wraps of thread to the hook shank over bend only. Tie in one blue and one yellow feather on each side over hook bend so they curve to each side forming the tail with the concave sides in. These should extend about 1 ½ inches behind the bend of the hook. Cut off extra hackle butts. Tie in one blue and one yellow hackle feathers in front of tails wind each one separately in rear of hook. Tie off and trim extra butts. The hackle fibers should be twice as long as long as the hook gap. Tie in and spin a band of blue deer hair in front of hackle. Continue tying in and spinning alternate bands of yellow and blue deer hair to reach 1/16 inch behind hook eye. Apply a drop of cement to the base of each clump of hair after spinning it to make the bug durable. Whip finish behind hook eye and apply had cement. Trim hair to shape with scissors or single edge razor blade.
You must be logged in to post a comment.