I've spent way too much money on fly tying materials over the years, but the stealth bomber fly pattern is one of those designs that actually justifies the clutter on my desk. If you've never seen one, it looks exactly like what the name suggests—a sleek, triangular aircraft made of foam. But unlike the actual B-2 bomber, this thing isn't meant to stay hidden; it's designed to make enough of a ruckus to annoy every bass within a twenty-foot radius.
Most topwater flies fall into two camps: poppers that chug and sliders that glide. The Stealth Bomber is the weird, highly effective middle child. It was originally cooked up by Kent Edmonds, and it has since become a staple for anyone who chases warm-water species. It's got this unique ability to dive, wiggle, and pop all in the same retrieve, which is why I rarely head to a pond or a slow-moving river without a handful of them in my box.
Why This Pattern Actually Works
The magic of the stealth bomber fly pattern really comes down to its shape. Because it's built with a folded foam wing that hangs over the front of the hook, it catches air and water in a specific way. When you strip your line hard, the nose of the fly digs in and dives under the surface. As soon as you stop the tension, the foam buoyancy kicks in and it pops back up like a panicked baitfish trying to catch its breath.
That "dive and rise" action is often what triggers the strike. Bass are notorious for following a fly and just staring at it, waiting for something to change. When a standard popper just sits there, the fish might lose interest. But when a Stealth Bomber dives suddenly and then wobbles back to the surface, it usually seals the deal. It looks like something is struggling, and in the predator world, "struggling" translates to "easy lunch."
Another thing I love about it is how it behaves on the cast. If you've ever tried to throw a massive deer-hair frog into a headwind, you know the struggle. It's like trying to cast a wet sock. The Stealth Bomber, however, is surprisingly aerodynamic. Because the foam is relatively thin and the shape is tapered, it cuts through the air much better than a bulky block of balsa wood or hair. You can get more distance with less effort, which means you aren't exhausted by the time the evening bite actually starts.
Tying the Stealth Bomber Without Losing Your Mind
If you're a tyer, the stealth bomber fly pattern is a fun project, though it might take you a couple of tries to get the proportions right. You don't need a degree in aeronautical engineering, but you do need to be careful with your foam cuts. Most people use 2mm craft foam. You can buy pre-cut bodies if you're feeling lazy (no judgment here), but cutting your own with a sharp hobby knife is easy enough.
The Foundation
Start with a high-quality stinger hook. You want something with a wide gap because the foam body can sometimes get in the way of the hook point if you aren't careful. I usually start by wrapping a solid base of thread and then tying in the tail. A mix of bucktail, some Krystal Flash, and maybe a few rubber legs works wonders. The tail gives it that secondary movement even when the fly is sitting perfectly still.
Building the Body
Once the tail is set, you tie in your foam strip. The "wing" is created by folding the foam back over itself and securing it at the head. This is the part where most people mess up—don't crowd the eye of the hook. If you leave a little space, the fly will have a better "cupped" face, which helps with that signature diving action. I like to add a bit of dubbing or a hackle wrap under the foam to give it a bit more profile and to help it sit correctly in the water.
Adding the Finishing Touches
A little bit of superglue is your best friend here. Foam can spin on the hook shank after a few aggressive strikes, and there's nothing more frustrating than a fly that's crooked after one fish. A drop of glue on the thread wraps before you fold the foam over will keep everything locked in place. Also, don't be afraid to get creative with colors. While the classic "stealth" black is a must-have for low light, I've had some of my best days using a chartreuse or a simple white and silver combo.
How to Fish It Effectively
There isn't really a "wrong" way to fish the stealth bomber fly pattern, but there are definitely ways to make it more enticing. I usually start with a "pop-pop-pause" rhythm. The pause is crucial. I can't tell you how many times a bass has smashed the fly while I was busy untangling my line or looking at a bird. Let the rings on the water disappear before you move it again.
If the fish are being finicky, try a "diving" retrieve. Instead of short, sharp pops, give it a long, steady pull. This makes the fly submerge and travel under the water for a foot or two before it floats back up. This mimics a wounded minnow or a large insect that's fallen in and is trying to swim back to shore.
Fishing the Lily Pads
The Stealth Bomber is surprisingly weedless if you tie it right or add a small mono weed guard. I love casting it directly into the heart of lily pad fields. I'll land it on a pad, let it sit for a second, and then gently nudge it off into the water. That "plop" into a small opening in the weeds is like a dinner bell for largemouth. Because the hook point rides slightly down but is shielded by the foam "wings" and the tail, it tends to bounce off stems rather than snagging them.
River Smallmouth
If you're fishing for smallmouth in moving water, the stealth bomber fly pattern is a weapon. Cast it toward the bank, right into the shadows of overhanging trees. Let the current take it, and just give it the occasional twitch. Smallies love the "wiggle" this fly has. It doesn't just sit flat; it kind of dances in the current.
Why Color and Size Matter
I used to think color didn't matter much for topwater because the fish only sees the silhouette against the sky. I was wrong. On bright, sunny days, a white or light gray stealth bomber fly pattern seems to disappear less against the glare, making it easier for fish to track. On the flip side, when the sun starts to go down, or if the water is a bit stained, black is the king. The high contrast of a black fly against a darkening sky makes it much easier for a predator to target.
Size is the other factor. For panfish, you can tie these on size 8 or 10 hooks and have a blast with bluegill all afternoon. But for big bass, don't be afraid to go large. A size 2 or even a 1/0 Stealth Bomber creates a lot of displacement. It sends out vibrations that fish can feel with their lateral lines long before they actually see the fly.
Final Thoughts on This Versatile Bug
At the end of the day, fly fishing should be fun, and there's nothing more fun than a violent topwater strike. The stealth bomber fly pattern provides that in spades. It's durable, it's relatively easy to tie, and it catches fish when other patterns are getting ignored.
It's one of those flies that gives you confidence. You know it's going to float well, you know it's going to move right, and you know it can handle being dragged through some gnarly cover. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting into the warm-water game, keep a couple of these in your box. Just be prepared—once you start seeing that diving action and the explosions that follow, you might find it hard to go back to fishing anything else.