Visit our West Michigan Fly Index page for a quick look at our collection.

Carp Fly… Morlock's Goby by Kevin Morlock

This fly is an absolute go-getter for both carp and smallmouth bass but on the tough side for tying — I sit on a rock and cry for a few minutes every time I break one off.  I'm not usually one for over-the-top flies but this one is worth the effort.  I've simplified it in the past but keep coming back to this design, the others just don't fish as well.  This pattern is a goby in the water, a perfect imposture.

My friend and fellow Michigan guide Walt Grau gave me a sculpin pattern that he had came up with that was tied in this style.  I wasn't interested in another sculpin pattern but I was looking for a goby.  After years of changes this is what has evolved.  I haven't made any changes for a few years, In my mind this fly has hit goby perfection.

Best For… carp and smallmouth bass            Could Also Be Used For… trout and steelhead

***Materials listed in tying order (this fly is triple articulated)

***This fly is about 3 1/2 inches long

Head Section

Hook… Tiemco, TMC 105, size 4

Eyes… Wapsi Dumbbell Eyes in yellow, size medium

Note:  secure the eyes in the middle of the hook, cement and put aside to dry.

Tail Section

Hook… any light and cheap short shank hook (it gets cut-off at the bend)

Tail… a medium small pheasant feather with lots of contrast

Hackles… build forward starting with very small, then progressively larger pheasant feathers — the tail section should take between 4 and 5 feathers to complete.

Note:  choose contrasting feather colors to give the fly a mottled look.

Joining tail section with the middle section and building the middle section

Cut… cut the tail hook off at the bend

Joint… 6 inches of 20# Power Pro or another braided casting line

Hook… any light and cheap short shank hook (it gets cut-off at the bend)

Hackles… build forward starting with medium, getting progressively larger pheasant feathers — this section will only take two or three feathers as they are now larger

Joining middle (and tail) with the head section and finishing the head section

Cut… cut the tail hook off at the bend

Joint… 6 inches of 20# Power Pro or another braided casting line

Hackle(s)… 1 or 2 large pheasant feathers

Throat… pinch of yellow marabou

Collar and head behind the eyes… spun deer body hair

Front head and between the eyes… deer body hair applied with a dubbing loop

References:

Our friends at Tippecanoe Fly Fishers posted step-by-step directions on the Morlock's Goby.

Tying perfect carp flies on a cold morning

In-Fisherman, Prime Time Carp by Kevin Morlock