The Mossbunker ( or Menhaden or Pogie as I'm told it is sometimes called ) is a very important forage fish in these waters. It is extremely numerous and serves as a staple for our "less placid" species. When you tie this one, it has a large profile, so try to keep the width to a minimum. This will make the fly easier to cast.

Stuff you'll need...

• Hook: Mustad 34007 or equivalent
• Wing: White FisHair with Pearl Crystal Flash mixed in and one peacock hurl on each side as a lateral line
• Cheek: Lemon Wood Duck Flank
• Topping: Pearl Crystal Flash over which 3 Peacock Hurls are wrapped over double
• Head Dressing: Silicone
• Eyes: 3-D Doll Eyes from a craft store.

1. Place the hook in the vise and attach the tying thread.
2. Get a glass of your favorite beverage.
3. Take a small bit of FisHair and tie it in for the tail section of the wing, it should extend about 2 gaps past the bend, but the fly should be at least 3" long when complete.
4. Take a small bit of FisHair and tie it to the top of the shank so that the ends are about 1/2 a gap from the ends of the tail section. After securing it, lift the hair up off the tail section of the wing and wrap the tying thread behind the top section you just put on, two or three times, making a small ramp which will push the hair up at an angle. You don't want to go to much, the top hair should just touch the tail section and form a nice taper.
5. Repeat the last step, but this time tie in the FisHair under the hook shank and tie it in just forward of the wraps of the top section from Step 3., to begin forming the belly of this Beast. When you tie in the butt ends, allow them to slightly wrap around the shank so they cover the thread holding in the previous section's tying thread wraps, and don't forget the ramp.
6. Take a drink from the material procured in Step 2.
7. Repeat Steps 3 and 4, adding in some Crystal Flash now and then, until you are about 1/8" from the hook eye.
8. On top of the last wraps of the FisHair, tie in one peacock hurl on each side to form the lateral line. It should extend to just about one gap from the end of the FisHair. .
9. Tie in the cheeks.
10. Take about 6 strands of Crystal Flash and tie them in by folding over double. ( See the Tips section of the Patterns Page for an explanation. )
11. Take 3 peacock hurls and tie them in just behind the hook eye, at the mid point of the hurl. Fold the section which is hanging over the eye back and secure it, forming the head.
12. Apply a whip finish, and cut the tying thread.
13. Silicone the head and cheek areas. This will keep the profile of your fly intact when it is in the water. A thin coat will do nicely, but you'll want to put a little bead where the eyes will be going.
14. While the silicone is still wet, sink the eyes into the bead you thoughfully put on the head in Step 13.
15. Repeat Steps 1 through 14 until you have enough flies to satisfy your need.