Deer Hair Mouse Rat

Materials

to Order Material, click the link

Hook Alec Jackson Spey Fly Hook #5
Thread Danville Black Flat Waxed Nylon
Body and Head Natural Deer Hair
Tail and Ears Tan Chamois
Whiskers Black Moose
Eyes Black Mono
Mouse
Mouse
Dave Whitlock

Dave Whitlock

Deer Hair Mouse Rat

Dave Whitlock popularized this pattern for bass fishing in his home waters of Oklahoma. There are many variations to this fly. Some tiers, such as Chris Helm, use variations on the color of the deer hair, spin the hair, and trim for effect. Dave’s fly is much simpler yet still effective. The body of the mouse uses the hair tips with a hair stacking method whereas the head utilizes a spinning technique. Under weedy conditions, Dave will also put on a monofilament weedguard by attaching the mono to the bend of the hook and fastening it to just behind the eye after the mouse body has been completed.

Some will use foam for the tail and ears, since they float much better. Calm, low light conditions are good times for this pattern, particularly on the East Fork Carson. Cast to the far bank and slow strip the pattern back, the resident Browns go crazy! It also works well in stillwaters. I’ve had good luck with the pattern in the evenings at Convict Lake.