In the 1970s, Keith Fulsher introduced a unique family of bucktail streamers he calls the Thunder Creek Series. Keith tied these patterns, featuring bullet-shaped heads, to imitate a variety of the most common freshwater baitfish; think of it as match-the-hatch for streamer fishermen. Years later, he designed Thunder Creek flies that mimic saltwater baitfish. Now in his 90s, Keith has since been inducted into the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame, and knowledgeable anglers still tie his patterns.
BUNKER
(Brevoortia tyrannus)
Flanks: Silver Krystal Flash under pale yellow bucktail.
Back: Equal parts of gray and olive bucktail mixed together.
Belly: Pale yellow bucktail.
Gills: Red lacquer.
Eyes: White lacquer with a dot of black lacquer.
TINKER MACKEREL
(Scomber scombrus)
Flanks: Silver Krystal Flash and grizzly saddle hackle dyed light olive.
Back: Equal parts of gray and dark blue bucktail mixed together.
Belly: White bucktail.
Gills: Red lacquer.
Eyes: White lacquer with a dot of black lacquer.
SAND EEL
(Ammodytes americanus)
Flanks: Silver Krystal Flash under blue bucktail.
Back: Black bucktail.
Belly: White bucktail.
Gills: Red lacquer.
Eyes: White lacquer with a dot of black lacquer.
Enjoy this collection of saltwater Thunder Creeks. They are some of the best flies you can use for catching striped bass, bluefish, and more.
To learn more about Keith’s flies, read his book Thunder Creek Flies: Tying and Fishing the Classic Baitfish Imitations, published by Stackpole Books.
David Klausmeyer is the editor of Fly Tyer magazine. In 2006, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum gave David the Golden Hook Award for advancements in fly tying and fishing.