This is a fairly simple weighted bucktail streamer meant for targeting spring run crappie.
Hook: Mustad 79580 4 XL #2 - 8
Tail: bright red dyed hackle fibers
Body: medium silver mylar tinsel
Wing: dyed oliver bucktail
Underwing: off white bucktail
Throat: dyed red hackle fibers
Weedguard: monofilament (optional)
Eyes: chromed metal dumbell eyes
Thread: black monocord
Basic bucktail, only the underwing is anything that deviates from the classic minow bucktail. Wrap a foundation, cement, tie in the tail, then tinsel. Wrap the thread forward, then the tinsel, and tie off. Tie in the underwing, being sure to get it balanced, then the wing. If a weed guard is to be added, add the monofilament and tie off and cement. Add the throat, tie off, cement. Add eyes, finish with a wrap knot, cement.
This fly is to be fished in fairly shallow water. The weigh is not to make the fly sink to depths (though it could be used that way). The weight is allow the fly to be retrieved at speed without breaking to the surface of the water. Crappie will strike shallow, but as a rule, they don't break surface except to nibble on flies, and they will be the slightest dimples. so keeping the fly several inches below the surface is important. Thus the weight. The eyes come in a series of sizes, and I suggest making up a number of these flies for various fishing conditions.
The weeds are emerging as the crappie make thier spring spawning run to the shallows. So casting these just outside and parallel to the weed beds is the best bet for hitting big crappie. In areas where downed timber is heavy, don't miss the opportunity to sucker the crappie holding to heavy structure. And be sure to hit the beds wherever you can spot them. A belly boat and neoprenes are ideal for this sort of action. The retrieve should be fast, the faster the better. In fact, these flies can be cast on ultra-lite spinning and spincast rigs with astonishing results Don't loll it along like a jig. Crappie like a speeding target as much, if not more, than their relatives, the largemouth bass.
Oh yeah, be ready in case you tempt a largemouth. These are very effective on them as well. they also are good for working running water in a wide variety of ways, from drift to drag.