Deer Hair Mouse

The Deer Hair Mouse is one of the most exciting flies you will ever tie on. This meticulously crafted surface pattern is spun and packed from natural tan deer hair, trimmed to a round, buoyant mouse profile complete with bead chain eyes, dark ear patches, rubber leg whiskers, and a long black rubber tail. The Deer Hair Mouse creates a surface disturbance that triggers some of the most violent strikes in fly fishing.

When to Use:

Best Time of Year: June through October, with peak action on warm summer nights and during early morning low-light periods. Fall is prime time as large predatory fish feed aggressively before winter.

Imitates: Mice, voles, and other small rodents swimming across the surface. Also imitates large frogs and surface-swimming leeches to a degree.

Target Fish: This is a big fish fly. Northern pike across the prairies and Ontario will absolutely demolish a surface mouse pattern. Large brown trout are notorious mouse feeders, especially at night in BC and Ontario rivers. Largemouth bass in Ontario lakes are prime targets during summer evenings. Trophy bull trout in BC will also rise for a skating mouse in the right conditions.

Pro Tip: Fish it after dark or in the first and last 30 minutes of light. Cast tight to undercut banks, log jams, and overhanging vegetation, then skate it back with a slow, steady strip creating a V-wake on the surface. Resist the urge to set immediately on the strike and wait until you feel the weight of the fish.