Many Texans don't ever consider fly fishing because there is a common misconception that fly fishing is just for trout anglers in places like Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana but let me tell you this, it'd be a lot cooler if they did. One of the most satisfying ways to catch the game fish of choice here in the Lone Star State is to make a perfect cast with a big dry fly and then watch a Largemouth Bass blow up on it just a few seconds later. There is no rush in fishing quite as exciting as watching a fish blow up on a fly and that is multiplied tenfold when it is a fly that you have tied yourself. Below are my top ten flies for catching bass here in Texas and you can follow the links for tutorials on how to tie each pattern if you feel so inclined:
I tie this fly in many different variations but one material is always the same, I always use Hareline's UV Mottled Galaxy Mop Chenille in the color tan or olive. This material can be tied in at different sizes to imitate a small, medium, or humongous worms and it can be fished like a senko, ned rig, or weightless rig. I usually will tie this fly with large weighted dumbbell eyes so that it sinks quickly but you can opt for a smaller bead head if the fish you are after aren't very deep.
I get the mop material from Muncy Creek Outfitters and tie multiple colors but my favorite is the orange/salmon color which I call the "Cream-cicle". I have caught everything from Largemouth Bass to Sun Fish to Rio Grande Cichlids to Catfish with this fly. It isn't very romantic but it sure do fish good (Texan Accent). The beauty of tying these flies yourself is that you can change which size bead you want to use based on how deep you think the fish are.
The Wooly Bugger is one of the most popular all around flies that will likely catch every kind of predatory fish on the planet so it has to make this list. For targeting Largemouth Bass, I tie what I call my "Fancy" Wooly Bugger. This differs from a regular WB in that I tie it on a larger and longer hook, I add either a red or holographic strip of crystal flash to the wrap (on the shank of the hook), and I add my favorite 3D Eyes right behind the bead.
7 - Clouser Minnow
The Clouser Minnow needs no introduction and everyone always says that it is the one fly to rule them all (and in the darkness bind them). I tie my clousers with a little added flash with a product from Upavon Fly Fishing called "Crinkle Up Flash" which gives them more volume to push water and makes them more sparkly .
6 - Foam Frog
My foam frog is called the Simp Frog and it is a blast to fish during the warmer months of the year. I am only ranking this fly at 6th because it is only useful from May - August but it might be the most fun fly to throw out of all ten.
5 - Squiggle Butt
This searching pattern is one of the few flies that I can say I have invented and I use it all the time when I can't get anything to bite on my favorite flies to fish: Grasshopper imitations and Foam Frogs. The Squiggle Butt is meant to dive deep and create a reaction strike because of how much movement it creates. I made this fly to be a hybrid taking attributes from popular minnow patterns and crawfish patterns and combining them to become the Squiggle Butt.
This is my sleeper fly for this list. Here in the Texas Hill Country, there are always wasps and dirt dobbers landing on the water and getting blown up by Largemouth Bass, Sun Fish, and Guadalupe Bass. I found an a great tutorial on the Charlie's Fly Box YouTube channel on how to tie the Jeffry Dobber, which is a Dirt Dobber imitation that was invented by the renowned angler Charlie Craven. I changed this pattern up by adding in a second hook to the abdomen of the fly in order to hook into any smaller fish that missed the front most facing hook. While I use this pattern for targeting Sunfish, I have found that I will catch a surprising amount of Bass with this fly during the summer time.
3 - Game Changer
Possibly my least favorite fly to tie, the Game Changer is essentially fly fishing's version of a swimbait lure. This articulating fly is a literal game changing pattern that is extremely effective when targeting bass. I only have footage from one of my "Micro" Game Changer flies (pictured below) so just picture a fly that looks the same but that is three times larger. The trade off for this pattern is that you are always hesitant to throw it in risky places because you either paid $10+ for it or it took you 30+ minutes to tie.
2 - Grass Hopper
I tie two different grass hopper imitations for different reasons. The fly I enjoy fishing most is called "The Hopper" and it is really too small for targeting larger Bass, BUT I catch Bass on it all the time. When I am sitting in traffic or listening to a client complaining over the phone, my mind takes me to my little boat on Lady Bird Lake with my 3wt rod that has The Hopper tied on. On a good day I'll catch 40+ fish on this fly ranging from small brim to medium sized bass. The second grass hopper imitation I tie is called the Gurgle Hop and that is because it is large and is meant to move a lot of water specifically for targeting Bass. It is a blend between a fly called The Gurgler and my Hopper fly. I catch mostly medium and large Bass with this pattern.
1 - The Howitzer
The only reason I am ranking this fly above my favorite fly (The Hopper), is because most Bass fishermen want to throw big flies to target big fish and there is no more fun fly to do this with than the The Howitzer. Popper flies in general are a ball but for some reason, I have had the most success with this pattern. During the mornings and evenings from May - September this fly produces amazing top water blow ups. I tie this in many different combinations but I prefer this pattern in white. The cool thing about this fly is that you can make them small, medium, or gigantic and all three will work for Bass. I usually tie mine in the medium size opting to attract both medium and large fish but I have known some anglers to only ever try to hit home runs.
What do you think about my list? Am I missing any crucial patterns? If you are interested in learning how to tie these flies be sure to subscribe to my YoutTube Channel or follow my Instagram/TikTok accoung: @flytyingtex - If you are interested in purchasing these flies from me of if you would like a personal fly tying lesson, you can reach out via the chat function on this website or send me a DM on Instagram.
Which Fly Is Your Favorite?
Galaxy Mop Fly
Better Mop Fly
Fancy Wooly Bugger
Clouser Minnow
Comments