Panfish On The Fly

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The Fat Albert

The Fat Albert

I came across this fly for the first time on a trip to Montana seven or eight years ago.  I was out there during hopper season and the Fat Albert did a number on those big trout on the Madison River.  Since this pattern fished so well.  I picked up a few to bring home as tying samples thinking they would tear up the warm-water scene around here. I was not disappointed!  This turned out to a great pattern for big bluegill.  The fly also caught a fair number of largemouth bass.  I'm toying with the idea of a "Fatter Albert" for bass this spring. 

It's relatively easy to tie.  Thread body, contrasting colors of foam, centipede legs, and Antron/flash for the wing.  I have since streamlined the tying process eliminating the wing and tie them as demonstrated in this video.  You can crank them out a little faster and warm water fish dont seem to mind the missing details of the original