Published Jul 23. 2012 - 11 years ago
Updated or edited Nov 27. 2020

#205 - The Thief

The Thief - Tony Smith Tied by: Tony Smith Originated by: Dan Gapen Source: Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing (Joseph D. Bates, Jr., 1966) Pg. 347 Hook:...

#205 The Thief - Tony Smith #205 The Thief - Tony Smith


Tied by: Tony Smith
Originated by: Dan Gapen
Source: Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing (Joseph D. Bates, Jr., 1966) Pg. 347

Hook: 4xl Sproat #2-#14
Thread: Black
Tail: 2 sections of red duck or goose as long as hook gap
Body: flat silver tinsel
Wing: small bunch of grey squirrel tail hairs reaching to end of tail. Over this fairly wide sections of oak mottled turkey wing just as long.
Head: several turns of black wool, slightly built up*
*Original called for black chenille head.

Notes: Bates describes this pattern as a darker version of a muddler minnow that was originated by Dan Gapen of the Gapen Fly Company located in Anoka, Minnesota. the pattern was designed as a minnow imitation with the intention of fooling crappies into biting. The fly proved to be a winner when it came to large black crappies and success followed on several other species including rainbow trout.

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Comments

Comment to #205 - The Thief...

Nice fly, I've never seen this pattern before. The tying is immaculate. What a clean, beautiful job!! Very impressive.

Comment to #205 - The Thief...

Great looking streamer. Lots of fish taking qualities.

Comment to #205 - The Thief...

Very well tied streamer Tony, and I agree with Alan in that it looks like a great one for catching fish. Nice and castable looking.

Comment to #205 - The Thief...

Had many a fine evening on trout lakes with this forgotten fly,nice to see it posted here.

Comment to #205 - The Thief...

yo,

really well done.

Comment to #205 - The Thief...

Love this fly! Not only a fantastic crappie fly (for which it was designed) but is excellent on trout!!! Especially the stocked ones. My friends and I have tied tons of these. I believe if is in the fly tying pattern book the best 1000 flies.

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