The Baja Deep Diver was designed to fish in saltwater from either the shore or a boat and can be tied in many color variations. The fly behaves in the same manner as a Clouser and has all the same sinking characteristics without the dumbell eyes. This fly works for tuna, dorado, skipjack, jack crevalle, roosterfish, pompano, pargo, grouper, sierra, snook, ladyfish, cabrilla, spotted bay bass, trumpet fish, and needlefish.

It is almost necessary to have a rotary vise of some kind to tie this fly. The epoxy will run a little and by turning the fly every couple of minutes the distribution of epoxy will be more even.

• Standard Shank Hook, stainless or nickel, size 1/0 - 4/0
• .019 Lead Wire
• Monofilament Thread
• White Hackle
• White Super Hair
• Chartreuse Super Hair
• Pearl Saltwater Flashabou
• 1/4 Inch Molder Silver Eyes
• 5 Minute Epoxy
• Super Glue Water-proof Gel

Wrapping the Hook
Make 25 wraps of .019 lead wire around the hook near the eye.

Securing Lead Wire
Tie the mono thread onto the hook shank with a series of half hitches. Wrap the lead wire in front and back so it can't move. Apply a drop of Superglue Gel.

Attaching the Hackle
Tie in one white hackle on each side of the hook. They should extend one and a half hook lengths beyond the back of the hook.

Super Hair
Position a piece of white Super Hair on the bottom of the hook shank. The Super Hair should extend one hook length beyond the back of the hook.

Tie it In
Tie in the bundle of white Super Hair. It should look something like this when you finish.

More Super Hair
Select and position a small bundle of chartreuse Super Hair along the top side of the hook shank. The material should extend two hook lengths past the back of the hook.

Tie it in Again
Tie in the bundle of Super Hair. It should look something like this.

Flashabou Wings
Position a small bunch of Pearl saltwater Flashabou along side of hook and tie in. It should extend past the back of the hook so it is slightly shorter than the chartreuse Super Hair.

Wing the Other Side
Repeat the process on the other side of the hook.

Epoxy the Head
Use a rubber band to hold stranded materials against hook and away from the epoxy job. Mix clear 5 Minute Epoxy and apply to head. Five Minute epoxy is more like 30 minute expoxy in this application. You will have to rotate the fly every couple of minutes to keep the epoxy from running until it starts to harden (about 15 minutes). I've found a new product called E-Z Shape™ Sparkle Body which I like better than 5 Minute Epoxy. It sets faster, is much easier to work with, and it sparkles when it's dry.

Doll Eyes
When the epoxy no longer runs, stick the doll eyes in position.

Finished Fly

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Dorado

Red Feathers, Black Super Hair, Blue and Green Flashabou.

Zucchini

Orange and Red Feathers, Green Flashabou.

Gary Graham, author and feature writer, resides on the Baja Peninsula's East Cape where he owns and operates Baja on the Fly, the largest Outfitter offering quality fly-fishing 365 days a year in Baja and Mainland Mexico. He may be reached at email: bajafly@bajafly.com, or his website Baja on the Fly,

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