#100-2013 - Waterman's Silver Outcast

Tied by: Bob Petti
Originated by: Charles Waterman
Source: Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass, Harry Murray, page 118-119

Hook: Mustad 3665A #6-#12
Thread: Black 6/0
Body: Silver flat tinsel
Rib: Silver oval tinsel
Wing: White bucktail under yellow bucktail under dark blue bucktail
Topping: Peacock herl
Eye: White painted eye with black center
Head: Black

Notes: The Waterman's Silver Outcast is a streamer designed for smallmouth bass fishing. It is an imitation that is meant to resemble the shiners that often populate the shallow waters where the bronze backs lurk. The fly closely resembles the shape and colour of the natural shiners and explodes into life once it hits the water. Bass are well aware that the minnows can be found hovering over shallow gravel bars and lurking around the edges of weed beds. Because these insubstantial waters don't offer protection to the bass, they usually only dare to venture into these areas to feed. As the bass chase the minnows into this shallows, they erupt into the atmosphere in an attempt to escape the charging bass. Casting several feet in front of this shattered surface and quickly stopping the minnow into the shallow habit is an ideal scenario to get the attention of the bass and can often result in a frenzied take of the fly. Bob recalls one evening in particular on Owego Creek where it empties into the Susquehanna River where smallies were chasing minnows. This fly was on fire and causing an uproar on and under the water's surface that night.