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Andino Deceiver Fly Step-by-Step:
In preparing for my recent visit to southern Costa Rica, I relied heavily on the advice of CRAFF-ACPM membership. With no prior knowledge of my own, their advice formed the basis of my fishing plans for the week. The locations I would target. The gear I would pack. And even the flies I would tie came from their valued recommendations.
One such pattern that found its way into my box as a result was the Andino Deceiver. Something between a Buford and Clouser’s Half & Half, it a large profiled streamer capable of pushing significant water. Originally designed to target Golden Dorado in South America, the pattern had also proven effective for the CRAFF membership when targeting local snook.
| Materials: | ||
|---|---|---|
 Big Game Carnivore (3/0) |  140 Denier (White) |  Dumbell Eyes (Large) |
 Streamer Hackle (White; 4-6x) |  Bucktail (White) |  Bucktail (White; selected from base of tail) |
 Krystal Flash (Pearl) |
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Andino Deceiver Fly Step-by-Step Tying Instructions:
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Tips and Tricks
- Bucktail Selection – When this pattern was first recommended to me, I found two options for creating the bulky head: Deer Belly Hair or Bucktail. The first of these options likely creates a cleaner looking head. However, novice tyers may not always have access to this material. Nor are they well versed in the technique. As a result, I settled on the latter for this tutorial. Readily available to anyone tying Clouser’s Minnows or Deceivers, the base (bottom 1-2”) of a bucktail consists of hollow fibers that will splay in a similar manner to Deer Belly Hair. Simply secure the fibers with two loose wraps, and then pull the thread tight before securing with a few additional wraps. The butt ends of your bucktail will then splay out as seen in steps 8-11. While not as clean a look as spun deer hair, it is still an effective method of creating the bulky head required by this pattern.
- Lead Eyes and Sink Rate – While this pattern’s lead eyes are effective in orienting the hook point up, do not expect the added weight to quickly pull your fly into the depths. The broad profile created by splayed bucktail significantly hinders this fly’s descent. Admittedly a benefit in some instances, this lower sink rate may prove an issue when fishing deeper water. Lead-free wire wrap could be added to assist, but I’d advise fishing this fly on an intermediate or sinking line if you desire to fish it deep.
Proof of Concept
While the onset of the green season thwarted my dreams of Costa Rican snook, the fly had the opportunity to prove its worth only a few weeks later.
Arriving in Providence, RI in late May, Striper were on the docket along with more than a dozen other species as we prepared for The Mayfly Project’s 25 on the Fly. Rotating through a variety of streamers over the course of the first two days, I finally tied on the Andino Deceiver featured in the introduction.
Situated on a large boulder near the mouth of tidal stream, the tide was falling rapidly. Casting into the river mouth, I stripped rapidly as the water pushed my streamer through the surf and out to sea. As luck would have it, the fish approved. And over the course of the next hour, at least seven “Schoolie” sized striper came to hand.
Tight Line!
Chris
Species Caught on the Andino Deceiver to Date:
- Striped Bass
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