The flatwing is less a single fly than a philosophy, one championed by Rhode Island's Kenney Abrames, of tying sparse, long, flowing baitfish that come alive in the water. A saddle hackle tied flat over the hook shank gives the fly a slim, undulating body that breathes with the smallest current or twitch, and wary striped bass eat it when they refuse fuller flies.
What it imitates
Flatwings imitate slim baitfish, herring, sand eels and other slender forage, with an emphasis on movement and translucence over bulk. The long, layered profile suggests a real baitfish's length and shimmer without looking dense or artificial, which is why it excels on pressured and clear-water fish.
How to fish it
The flatwing is a classic night and shallow-water striper fly. Fish it on a floating or intermediate line with a slow retrieve or a gentle swing in current, letting the fly breathe. In the wash, along a beach, or in a moonlit estuary, a slowly worked flatwing is deadly on bass.
Tip Let the current and the fly do the work. Flatwings are built to move on their own, so a dead-slow retrieve or a swing, with long pauses, often out-fishes an aggressive strip, especially at night.
Sizes and colors
Natural, sparse palettes, white, olive and white, and herring tones with a little flash and often a hint of chartreuse or a bucktail collar, are the tradition. Keep it sparse; the whole point is a slim, living silhouette.