This is a rather high profile, yet simple, wet fly that really does a number on the fish.
Hook: Mustad 7957B wet fly hook, 6 - 14
Tail: White marabou
Body hackle: Golden pheasant tippets
This is basically a hackle fly with a marabou trailer. But the hackle being golden pheasant tippet, with its bright orange, and dark vibrant blue-black tips, makes this fly a very strong attractor. The color scheme strongly represents sunfish in their golden phase, with the white for the fins, a sure target wide profile for the predators. The stiffness of the golden pheasant tippets creates a certain turbuence in the water that really activates the marabou at the slightest twitch.
Tying is very simple. Begin with a solid foundation, tie in the tail, then reverse wrap several tippets together toward the eye over a fresh coat of cement. Tie off and finish with a wrap knot.
Fishing the fly is a slow process, as the fly doesn't need a lot of motion to create action in the marabou. The best mimic is that of a struggling sunfish. Keep the fly moving just fast enough to keep it from sinking too quickly. The water resistance of the tippet makes the fly stay high with a minimal of retrieve. Work the fly around visible structure for best effect.
For moving water, let the current carry it as it will, but animate it slightly as it moves downstream. It should display a minimum level of resistance to flow to give maximum effect of a struggling, injured forage, helplessly being swept along.