The Deena Fly

The Deena is a fly originated by Bill Wilmert, a guide and owner of Stoney Point Flies in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Bill tied my dad and me a Deena at a FFI Conclave in Loveland, Colorado years ago and it has been a top producer for me ever since. I brought the fly back to our club in Texas; it is the top fly in everyone’s fly box. I have caught three species of trout, large and smallmouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish, and even pond stocked tilapia! Bill told me the fly came about as a bit of a mistake~he had an order for some olive wooly buggers and didn’t have all the materials he needed, so the Deena was developed. The size, as well as materials, can be varied and still maintain the style, and it will still catch fish. The fly can be tied oin olive, white/gray, bronze and tan. This is one of my versions:

Hook - TMC5262 (Any heavy wire 2X streamer hook will work)

Tail - Marabou (olive, white, gray, tan)

Body - UNI-Mohair or dubbing to match tail

Wing - Mallard Flank

Collar (optional) - CDC (split thread dubbing technique)

*The Deena can be tied using round lead wraps at the throax or a bead head to get the fly down in varying currents.

Lay a thread base to bend and return to bar.

Tie in marabou tail about the same length as the hook shaft.

Tie in the UNI-Mohair or dub a body stopping a hooks eye length from the eye.

Tie in the prepared mallard flank feather and wrap forward three turns

Prepare a CDC feather using the split thread method for a collar.