Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2021 - 15

Tying the
Half and Half
by Carl Haensel
Big fish like to eat big prey, especially
during fall. Two top patterns for chasing
large predatory fish on the fly are the
Clouser Minnow and the Deceiver.
The Clouser Minnow, developed by
Bob Clouser, Dauphin County, on the
Susquehanna River, does a stellar job of
imitating a fleeing baitfish or crayfish,
and gets deep with weighted eyes.
Renowned angler Lefty Kreh developed
the Deceiver differently, using feathers
to undulate softly in the current,
triggering finicky fish by imitating a
wounded baitfish. The Half and Half
combines some of the best aspects of
both flies. Heavy eyes help the fly move
up and down quickly when stripping.
This jigging action consistently triggers
fish. The saddle hackle feathers move
well, and I often use craft fur that adds
significant durability to the fly in place
of some of the deer hair in the pattern.
The Half and Half produces well in the
fall, especially when hefty bass, muskies,
and pike are the quarry. Even trophy
Walleyes take this fly from time to time.
Fishing the Half and Half is simple,
though small changes in presentation
may make a big difference in how many
fish you hook. Carry a variety of sink-tip
extensions to add on to the end of the
fly line to get the fly down to the correct
level, where the fish are holding. Tie
these flies using eyes of a wide variety of
weights. This helps target fish in many
feeding situations. If the fish are holding
on shallow flats, you can often fish the fly
using a floating line. If you are targeting
fish that are hanging 4 feet or deeper, a
variety of sink tips will help get you on the
fish. Larger gamefish can often be more
finicky than anglers realize and may
refuse to move outside the feeding zone.
If you are fishing one of Pennsylvania's
many reservoirs, use sonar to pinpoint
where fish are feeding, then work your
fly on that level. Often, you will need to
change sink tips and fly weights to find
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photos by the author
1
the best combination. However, the
results are phenomenal.
Tying the Half and Half
Materials
Hook: Size 1-3/0 streamer or
saltwater hook
Thread: Olive 6/0
Eyes: Painted dumbbell eyes, 1/4-inch
Underbody: White bucktail or craft fur
Tails: 4 saddle hackles in dark color
of choice
Flash: Krystal flash in color of choice
Belly: White bucktail
Collar: Accent dubbing in orange or red
Back: Dark bucktail in color of choice
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Begin your fly by placing the hook
in the vise and attaching the thread.
Secure the dumbbell eyes, leaving
plenty of space to finish the fly.
Attach the white underbody of the fly
behind the eyes on top of the hook,
securing it along the length of the shaft.
Attach the paired sets of saddle hackle
feathers on either side of the hook.
Then, wrap your thread forward to
just behind the eyes.
Add the krystal flash on either side of
the fly, securing it along the shaft of
the hook.
Tie in the white bucktail for the belly
of the fly in front of the eyes. Then,
secure it behind the eyes. Add the
collar or accent dubbing behind the
eyes at this time as well.
Tie in the bucktail for the back of
the fly using a dark color such as
olive or tan. Do not crowd the eye
of the hook.
Build up the thread at the head of the
fly. Whip finish the fly just behind
the eye of the hook, and add a drop
of cyanoacrylate or UV cured glue to
secure the wraps. Your fly is finished
and ready to fish.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2021
15
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2021

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