Just Add H20 Flekta Fusion

Just Add H20 Flekta Fusion is a specialized synthetic fly tying material designed to create lifelike baitfish imitations for both saltwater and freshwater environments. This product consists of ultra-thin, soft fibers blended with a crinkled pearlescent flash. The combination results in a semi-translucent material that mimics the natural sheen and profile of small prey items like minnows, baitfish, and shrimp. Unlike stiffer synthetics, the fibers in this blend are incredibly supple, allowing for maximum movement in the water even with a slow retrieve. The material comes in long hanks that can be cut to size for various applications, from small bonefish flies to larger streamer patterns. The crinkled texture of the flash strands provides bulk and support to the softer fibers without adding significant weight, ensuring the fly maintains its silhouette when wet. Tyers appreciate the way Flekta Fusion sheds water instantly, making it easy to cast all day. It is available in a wide range of colors, including natural tones and vibrant attractors, to match local hatch conditions.

Example Flies

Surf Candy: This classic saltwater pattern benefits greatly from the translucency of Flekta Fusion. Tyers use this material for the wing, where its fine fibers allow UV resin or epoxy to penetrate thoroughly, creating a durable and realistic head. The crinkled flash adds the necessary sparkle to imitate the glass minnows and anchovies that this fly is designed to represent.

Synthetic Clouser Minnow: A modern variation of the traditional bucktail pattern, this fly utilizes Flekta Fusion to create a more durable and flashy profile. The material is tied in at the eyes and swept back to form the wing and belly. Its inherent movement brings the fly to life during the pause of the jigging action, making it a staple for targeting species like redfish and smallmouth bass.

Synthetic Lefty's Deceiver: While traditional Deceivers use saddle hackles for the tail, this version employs Flekta Fusion to create a soft, breathing tail that resists fouling. The material is also used for the collar, where it can be distributed around the hook shank to build a wide, baitfish-like profile that pushes water while maintaining a sleek appearance.

Glass Minnow: This pattern is designed to target fish feeding on tiny, transparent baitfish in clear water. Flekta Fusion is the primary material used here, often tied sparsely to maintain the see-through quality of the natural prey. The subtle shimmer of the pearlescent flash triggers strikes from wary predators without being overpowering or unnatural.

Gotcha: A legendary bonefish fly, the Gotcha often incorporates a small wing of flashy synthetic fiber. Flekta Fusion is an excellent choice for this application because the soft fibers collapse against the hook during the strip, simulating the fleeing motion of a shrimp. The crinkle in the flash ensures the wing retains its volume and visibility in the water.

How to Use It

To use Flekta Fusion, remove a small bundle of fibers from the packaging and trim it to the desired length. For a natural tapered look, you can pull the fiber ends at different lengths before tying them in, similar to how you would treat craft fur. The material is slick, so securing it with tight thread wraps and a drop of head cement or super glue is recommended to prevent it from pulling out. It can be tied in as a single wing, stacked in layers to blend colors, or spun in a dubbing loop for a more voluminous head.

When creating baitfish profiles, it is often helpful to tie the material in on the top and bottom of the hook shank and then use a UV resin to shape the head area. This technique forces the fibers back and creates the desired silhouette. You can also use permanent markers to add barring or specific color accents to the fibers, as the synthetic material takes ink well and holds the color during fishing.

Why We Like It

We like Just Add H20 Flekta Fusion because it solves the common problem of synthetic flies looking too stiff or lifeless in the water. The extreme softness of these fibers allows the fly to pulse and breathe with the slightest current or rod movement. This mobility is crucial when fishing for pressured fish that might refuse a static presentation. Additionally, the integration of the crinkled flash provides just the right amount of sparkle, mimicking the scales of a baitfish without the need to add separate flash materials.

Another reason this material is a favorite is its versatility and ease of casting. It does not absorb water like natural fur, meaning large flies remain light and aerodynamic. This feature reduces casting fatigue and allows for more accurate presentations in windy conditions. The semi-translucent quality also adds a level of realism that solid opaque materials cannot achieve, making it indispensable for clear water fisheries.

DNA Holo Fusion vs Just Add H20 Flekta Fusion

Just Add H20 Flekta Fusion is frequently compared to DNA Holo Fusion, as both are engineered to be soft, flashy synthetic blends for baitfish patterns. The primary difference lies in the texture and stiffness of the fibers. Flekta Fusion tends to be slightly softer and more mobile, making it a better choice for smaller patterns or flies requiring maximum movement. DNA Holo Fusion is also excellent but can be slightly more rigid, which may be preferable for maintaining the profile of larger flies in heavy current. Both materials offer excellent translucency and flash integration, but anglers often choose Flekta Fusion when a more subtle, collapsing action is desired.