Brush Up

Of the many baitfish patterns available to us, the brush fly isn't particularly special at first glance, but it does work well and has some properties that might make you decide to put some in your box. It's more of a prototypical style than a single pattern so you can mix and match materials to suit your target species, desired action, sink rate etc. They're easy to get right, it's much harder to get a brush fly wrong than say an EP peanut butter- anyone can turn one out that will swim right and catch fish. They're ideal for toothy fish because you can tie them quickly, if you like, and they're tough as boots (especially if you tie them entirely with brushes).

As there isn't really a pattern I'll give you a few suggested options.

Small low profile all-brush version
Hook: SL12 size 2 or similar-a short or standard shank is best
Thread: Clear mono
Tail: Synthetic brush 2-3" wide
Head: Synthetic brush 1.5-2" wide
Eyes: 3D eyes
Craft fur is an ideal material for these smaller brushes, especially the tail section. If you want a bit more water push or slower sink rate you can use a thicker brush made of EP or similar for the head.

Large all-brush version
Hook: Universal predator 4/0
Thread: Clear mono
Tail: Synthetic brush 5-7" wide
Head: Synthetic brush 2-3" wide
Eyes: 3D eyes attached to the head or to tabs
SF blend would be ideal for the rear brush with the head being ideally a mix of SF and EP fiber. Glue the eyes directly to the head if you want a thinner profile or use the Beast Brushes tab eyes if you want to keep the head round to push water

Large Brush head version for GTs and the like
Hook: 6/0 SL12
Thread: Clear mono
Tail: Some bucktail and a few saddle or schlappen feathers or SF blend
Head: Synthetic brush 2-3" wide
Eyes: 3D eyes attached to the head or to tabs

Small brush head version (pod)
Hook: Standard or short shank.
Thread: Clear mono
Tail: Synthetic like EP
Head: Synthetic brush 1.5-2" wide
Eyes: 3D eyes attached to the head or to tabs

In the POD i've just tied the first 2 sets of ties from a peanut butter behind the brush

For the brush head versions you can essentially put anything you like in the back, as long as it's not too stiff or limp for the length of the fly. craft fur/EP or equivalent up to about 4" then stiffer material like SF or kanekalon with bigger flies.


For ALL the versions dress the whole shank with thread and then coat it with head cement before tying anything in, use cement as each subsequent application melts and bonds with the previous coat. Wind your brushes over wet cement and also cement the tie ins of the brushes.
Don't use your scissors to cut the brushes, side cutters are the go for the stainless steel.
Single colours or mixed colours is entirely up to you, and the brush head offers a bit more ability to alter colours across the fly. Sharpies or other markers are also handy for stripes and whatever.
Really big ones might want an intermediate length brush to smooth the transition between the head and tail.