Joe Brooks, the pioneer of saltwater fly fishing, developed this series of baitfish imitation flies over 50 years ago but the Blonde proves as effective today as when it was first developed. Unlike most flies it doesn't have a wing and a tail, but instead has a fuller lower wing and a slightly more sparse upper wing. When retrieved the top wing gets pushed down by the water onto the lower wing to give the profile of a baitfish. Simple but highly effective.
This blue and white example is named the "Argentine Blonde" and I've tied it on a Kamasan B940 Size #2 hook.
Attach the thread near the bend of the hook and tie in a bunch of white bucktail, carefully fastening it all way up the hook shank then bring the thread back down to the bend. Keep the tying smooth and this will be the foundation for another layer later on.
Tie in a few strands of crystal flash at the bend of the hook then take your thread back up the shank to near the eye and tie in a length of silver tinsel mylar tape.
Carefully wrap the entire length of the shank with the mylar tape, down to the hook bend then back up to the eye making sure there are no gaps in the tape or threads showing. Tie in the end of the tape and trim off.
Select the colour for the top wing (light blue for the Argentine pattern) and tie in just behind the eye. Wrap a tapered head and whip finish for the final touch. As well as varnishing the head its also worth running some varnish down the wrapped mylar tape along the body to strengthen it. Trim the upper wing to the same length or slightly shorter than the lower wing.
This was the first saltwater fly I ever tied, and the fly that I caught my first ever fly-caught Bass on
It's still a favourite of mine and has a regular place in my fly box when I go out for a session.
The almost finished fly:
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