Learn how to tie Bob Popovics' Bulkhead Deceiver Fly including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly tying skills here.

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This pattern is an improvement on Bob Popovics' Bucktail Deceiver. This iteration adds thickness, depth, and allows the fly to push more water to attract predatory fish from long distances. Bob Popovics ties many famous baitfish patterns for saltwater fish including Striped Bass and more. Tune in as Jared takes you through the necessary steps to tie a great pattern for a variety of scenarios and a variety of fish.



Step One:



Start your mono thread and tie in the tail of the fly. Choose 20-30 of the longest bucktail fibers you can find on your tail, trim your butts so they're even, and tie them in at the bend of the hook.


Step Two:



Add two hackle feathers, one on each side, to give the tail dimension and movement in the water. Choose two feathers that are roughly the same size and tie them in flat on either side of the hook shank. Snip the ends of the feathers and wrap your thread forward to cover the butts.


Step Three:



Add pearl Ice Wing Fiber. Tie in the Ice Wing with a loose gathering wrap on top of the hook shank then pull the fiber back and tie it in fully. It's alright if this is a little messy, we're going to cover it up later.


Step Four:



Choose another chunk of bucktail and tie it in 360-degrees around the hook shank. Measure the bucktail so it extends slightly shorter than the feathers in the tail to create a taper. Catch the bucktail with two loose wraps then use a combination of thread tension and finger pressure to rotate the bucktail completely around the hook. Wrap your thread over the butts to secure the bucktail in place.


Step Five:



Again, add some pearl Ice Wing Fiber for some extra flash. Tie it in 360-degrees around the hook shank and pull the excess fiber back. Cover up the butts to create a clean tie in point.


Step Six:



Next, choose another collection of yellow bucktail and take a measurement to continue the taper of the fly before tying them in. This time, however, don't trim the butts. Tie the bucktail in so it wraps 360-degrees around the hook shank and creates a cone with the butts (pictured above). This will help add bulk to this fly.


Step Seven:



Push the cone back using a pen cap and pull your thread through at a 90-degree angle. After pulling your thread through, take a few wraps in front of the bucktail to create a cone with the thread which helps push the fibers back.


Step Eight:



Again, add Ice Wing Fiber that rotates 360-degrees around the hook shank.


Step Nine:



Switch colors of bucktail to black to create a two-tone fly. Use the same techniques to tie in the black bucktail and push the fibers back to create a small cone.


Step Ten:



Again, add Ice Wing Fiber, this time in black, after tying in the bucktail. Make sure to take multiple wraps with your thread to create a cone and to push the bucktail/fiber back toward the tail of the fly.


Step Eleven:



Repeat Step Nine making sure to keep the taper of the fly even and well-balanced.


Step Twelve:



Repeat Step Ten and add some final black Ice Wing Fiber. After adding your last portion of Ice Wing Fiber, whip finish and add some superglue to reinforce the head of the fly.


Step Thirteen:



Finally, add some water to your hands (or run the fly underwater) and check the fly's taper when wet. If you're not happy with the taper, feel free to trim the fly after tying it. And you're done! That's Bob Pops' Bucktail Deceiver, a great fly for Stripers and other predatory fish.


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