I'll second the Rays Fly- easy to tie, easy to throw and very effective when stripers and blues are on sandeels and spearing. (Now.)

You may also want some chartreuse Clousers with lead eyes to get deep, (another excellent sandeel imitation) and some larger 3/0 Deceivers to imitate mossbunker (menhaden) White, blue over white, or chartreuse would all be good choices for Deceivers.

To simplify somewhat, you could use size 2/0 SW hooks like Mustad 34007 or the shorter shank 3407 for all the patterns, and just substitute bucktail for the feathers on the tail of the Deceiver (making a Bucktail Deceiver). Keep the dressing sparse on all the patterns to give maximum action in the water and make them easier to cast.

Micropteris has given the dressing for a Rays Fly. You might want to make each layer about a 1/2 " longer than the layer beneath it for a great profile in the water. eg white 2", yellow 2 1/2", olive 3", peacock 3 1/2" for a great profile.

For a Bucktail Deceiver, just use 5 clumps of bucktail about 15 hairs each. (One bunch for the tail the rest for the collar.) To make the collar, tie one bundle on the bottom of the hook, one on each side, and one on top. (The top layer is often a contrasting color like blue or green, with the other bundles being white.) Add some crystal flash or flashabou and a few strands of peacock herl as a topping if you want.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

peregrines