Here on the West Branch, the Osmerus Mordax (rainbow smelt or just plain smelt) are a staple in the salmons diet.  They come in a variety of shades from light gray to dark blue/black. This pattern has shades of black & blue in it and has produced extremely well for me.  Although the pattern was intended for the West Branch I`ve caught fish on it everywhere and anywhere smelts and minnows are abundant, even sea run minnows like in the lower end of the Kennebec and Saco Rivers. This fly looks absolutely amazing in the water with the hints of blue and black resembling parr marks too which I attribute its great success to. Its caught numerous species in fresh, salt, cold, warm and brackish waters. Probably the most successful pattern Ive tied.  The only difference between this and the original is the original had a blue throat, golden pheasant crest dyed black and blue lady amherst under the white.  If you put them side by side, most wouldnt be able to tell the differences, but I think this one fishes better than the original so we've been tying it this way for years.

Mustad 94720 Hook $6.00 each

Martinek Hook Display Fly  $25.00 each