The validator is a high profile saltwater fly that is all hackle. Consequently, for its bulk, it's very lightweight and easy to cast. When pulled through the water, the spun hackle lays back, and when paused, it fills out again, giving the target fish the illusion of being living forage. This fly will target speckled trout to bull reds and drum to tarpon, so be ready at all times for a real fight.
Hook: Mustad 34007 (stainless sprout) 1/0 - 6/0
Collar and tail: large saddle hackle, dyed yellow and red
Thread: yellow Kevlar
This is a simple fly to tie. Tie in six yellow hackle and four red hackle for the tail, red in the middle, yellow outside. Tie in six more yellow hackle and spin together to the eye. Tie down, trim, finish with a wrap knot. (Other color schemes are effective, but this is the classic.) Pretty much a no-brainer. Here, the secret is to lay hands on the really large saddle hackle. Many of the catalogs will specifiy this wet hackle. The wider and longer the hackle, the bulkier the fly.
Fishing this fly is pretty easy. It responds well to tidal currents in the bays, giving an abundance of innate motion. It also works the surf quite well, the fly line pulled by the waves offering all the motion needed to keep it lively and attractive. In calmer waters, it requires a bit of user prompting, much of the technique depending on the species targeted. Some require a fast jerk, others a more lolling retrieve to not be spooked. This is also a great trolling lure and doubles as an outstanding lure dressing for the rear hook for larger lures with split rings and other replacable hook fasteners. On multiple fly rigs, this should be the rear fly, representing the chaser pursuing the other smaller flies.