This is a quick, inexpensive, and easy fly to tie that won't bring a tear to your eye when you snag one or a dozen. It's ease and simplicity make it an ideal exploratory fly when you're working stained or muddy water where the snags and fish are not visible. You can throw these into uncertain waters to find out the conditions and where the fish are holding. Because it's usually used to probe where the eye can't see, it generally doesn't have to be a fancy fly. The marabou is usually enough to do the trick.
Hook: Mustad 79580 (4XL)
Wing, body, and tail: Neutral marabou
Thread: Black monocord
Pretty simple, apply a full foundation, tie in a bunch of marabou at the tail, at a couple of places along the shaft, and at the wing/collar. Make it fairly thick, but don't crowd it out of proportion. It should compress on the retrieve and fluff on the pause. Apply wrap knot and finish with head cement. Make them by the dozen and pack them in a fly box when dry.
Fish them brazenly, testing the waters where you'd be afraid to risk more elegant flies. Enough fish will strike to tell you where they hold, and you'll soon discover what areas to avoid casting without the pain of losing a quality fly. Retrieve in spurts, allowing the marabou to work both on the move and at rest. They will do a good job of telling you how the fish are responding, aggressively or passively.