While thumbing through some old back issues of warmwater fly fishing magazine I ran across an article by Brook Eliott on making a metal flutter fly for panfish. In the summer, after the spawn, big bluegill are hard to find on the big man made lakes in east texas. The fish suspend around structure in deeper water. This little fly is a good way to catch them. Cheap, easy to make, and effective; the flutter fly is something a little different. Here's how to make them.
1. an aluminum can
cut it up
the bottom makes a nice little bead/hook holder
use Aberdeen hooks; I use size 4 and 6 to keep the little fish from stealing the show. when fishing deep its exhasperating when the smaller fish constantly get to the fly first
cut the aluminum rectangles the size of the hook shank
tie a tail on the hook and wrap shank with thread. Tail can be anything; rabbit, flash, hair, etc. long or short, applied thick or thin; however fast you want the fly to sink(fly sinks hook point up)
cut the aluminum into small rectangles, fold evenly, apply some glue(I use 5 minute epoxy and (I can do 4 flies before epoxy starts setting up) apply a thin coat of epoxy, then squeeze the two sides of the rectangle over the hook shank. I use a paper clip to hold sides together til epoxy sets up
cut the aluminum to shape; color eyes, gil , and put a black or blue line across top along hook shank. when marker/paint dries apply a thin coat of sallys hard as nails or any clear nail polish
cast them out on a sinking line or long leader; let the fly flutter to the bottom watching your line carefully for the subtle strike. when fly reaches the bottom lift it slowly off bottom and use a slow retrieve. These are also effective on schooling black bass when they are pounding the shad. The limitation of this fly is that it can't be cast for great distances as it flutters on the cast like a knuckleball.30 foot casts are much easier than 40-50 foot casts. But, its something a little different-p-