This is a good high profile, easy to cast, surface lure for the fly rod that works quite well in summer. It's a classic bass lure, but it works quite well for many other species that don't mind a little rodent in their diet.
Hook: Mustad 37187 (Stinger) 2 - 6
Tail: Chamois
Body: Natural deer hair (northern whitetail or mule, winter coat)
Ears: Chamois
Eyes: Monofilament beads
Thread: Tan kevlar
If you've never spun deer hair before, I suggest that you consult a tying instruction book for the proper technique. It's explained in so many sources that I don't feel the need to explain it here. I personally like to use a hollow ball point pen body (Bic, etc) to pack the hair tightly as it is spun. Be careful not to do too much at once. Never spin hair atop a thread foundation, as it is asking for trouble. Always spin on bare metal. I use kevlar thread to reduce the chance of thread breakage, which spells doom for a spun hair lure.
Start with a very short foundation at the rear of the shank. Tie in the chamois strip for the tail and cement heavily. Allow to dry before spinning. When dry, spin the deer hair a bit at a time until near the eye of the hook. Tie in the ears and monofilament bead eyes (made by melting the monofilament very carefully in hemostats to avoid burns). Finish spinning hair to eye. Finish with a wrap knot and allow cement to dry. Trim hair to roughly a bullet shape to imitate the body of a mouse. The more tapered the nose, the easier it is to lift from the water and the less wind-resistant to cast.
This fly requires a bug taper (a weight forward will suffice, but a bug taper is superior) and heavy tippet for easiest casting. It's a very versitile fly, capable of being fished at a variety of paces, from an exhausted and struggling crawl to a rather quick zip. This fly can imitate both land based and water based rodents (such as baby nutria), so it is quite adaptable to the sort of retrieve that inspires the most cnfidence under the given conditions. During summer, a slower and more struggling presentation will be more tempting to bring the larger fish to the oxygen poor surface from the friendlier depths below. It is especially effective around surface structure and shorelines close to drop offs. Be ready for some explosive strikes.