Author Archives: Capt JD

Capt JD

About Capt JD

In 1978 I was first introduced to stream fishing while backpacking in California's southern Sierra mountains. Can't say how inspiring it was to watch Rainbows making their way upstream, pool to pool, navigating book-like waterfalls etc. Crystal clear and cold water it was. I spent quite few years discovering the fisheries before being introduced to a fly-fishing rig. In 1982, I was introduced to an antique cane rod and click-pawl reel. The engineering of this reel and simple concept of throwing a weighted line to get a super-light artificial fly out into the middle of a stream made its lasting impression. I suppose it's my intrigue for activities and sports combining outdoor elements, strategy and a fair amount of physics that seemed to grip me. After quite a few years snow skiing, golfing, skeet shooting, yacht racing, and of course fly-fishing, I can now see how much physics plays a part in all of them. In my early years of fly-fishing, I discovered I could tie my own flies. If a fly needed more of one color than another, I could simply tie one to work more effectively. The endless number of materials and colors opened the door for design and creativity. The structuring and layering of materials added many more options. The combinations of size, texture, style, and functionality were endless. Needless to say, I was hooked. My experience with fly-fishing continued with discovering fisheries up and down the west coast, from California to Arctic Circle. In the early 1990s, I spent some time floating the Green and Teton rivers for Rainbows. In the mid 1990s, I was fortunate enough to fish Alaska, BC and NWT for Cutthroat, Rainbow and Lake Trout – the occasional Grayling was nice too. Moving to Hawaii in 2012 offered me a look at some sizable Bonefish and another amazing fishery. In 2014, I relocated to southern Florida and was knocked over by such an expansive fishery. Florida is truly the capital of sport fishing. Miles and miles of untapped fisheries are waiting for the next fly-fishing enthusiast...well, that and some really big fish. I hold a USCG Master Inland and Mate Near Coastal 50 Ton Captain's License with Assistance Towing and Auxiliary Sailing Endorsements. I also hold a NAUI Openwater 1 certification in SCUBA. Professionally, I have over 30 years in leading technical teams in project, program, and change management within IS, IT, Application Development, and high-tech construction. A majority of this experience was acquired within the aerospace, undersea, telecom, networking, engineering, and healthcare fields. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership, and professional certifications in project, service, and quality management. My fly-fishing journey has been amazing thus far - its discoveries are never ending and all inspiring to say the least. Let's keep it this way for all to come. Please take care of the fish you catch/ release and let's continue to work diligently minimizing our back-country footprint. - Capt JD.

Cracked Merkin Crab: Chartreuse

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Recreate fly patterns at home! Materials used in making this fly have been included below. Always keep in mind your local fly-fishing store will most likely have the materials referenced, and typically for less. Materials can also be found at Amazon or any other major on-line resource.

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad 34007SS (#4)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, fluorescent chartreuse[/list_item]
[list_item]Lead Eyes, small[/list_item]
[list_item]Mono Eyes, medium[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fibers, beige[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash Chenille, medium, pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Rooster Cape, chinchilla[/list_item]
[list_item]Ande 20 lb Monofilament (weed guard)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Another great fly for fishing South Florida and Caribbean flats. Anything that looks like a shrimp or crab with natural colors and an splash of something bright is already the perfect fly for catching some local game fish. As always, the metallic/ crystal flash really gives the fly some life. Add a few strands for legs or antennule. Be creative and change up colors. Options for upgrading the pattern are endless.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Bonefish and Permit – jacks and many other species will also take the fly.

Bendback Deceiver: Chartreuse

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Recreate fly patterns at home! Materials used in making this fly have been included below. Always keep in mind your local fly-fishing store will most likely have the materials referenced, and typically for less. Materials can also be found at Amazon or any other major on-line resource.

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad 34007SS (#4)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, chartreuse[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, large, gold[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, olive/ pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, chartreuse[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, yellow[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, olive[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Another great fly for fishing South Florida and Caribbean flats. Anything that looks like a shrimp, crab or baitfish with natural colors and an splash of something bright is already the perfect fly for catching some local game fish. As always, the metallic/ crystal flash really gives the fly some life. Be creative and change up colors. Options for upgrading the pattern are endless.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Bonefish, Permit, and Snook – jacks and many other species will also take the fly.

Bendback Deceiver: Red Ghost

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Recreate fly patterns at home! Materials used in making this fly have been included below. Always keep in mind your local fly-fishing store will most likely have the materials referenced, and typically for less. Materials can also be found at Amazon or any other major on-line resource.

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad 34007SS (#4)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, fluorescent shell pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, large, silver[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, silver[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, UV pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, fluorescent red[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, purple[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Another great fly for fishing South Florida and Caribbean flats. Anything that looks like a shrimp, crab or baitfish with natural colors and an splash of something bright is already the perfect fly for catching some local game fish. As always, the metallic/ crystal flash really gives the fly some life. Be creative and change up colors. Options for upgrading the pattern are endless.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Bonefish, Permit, and Snook – jacks and many other species will also take the fly.

Shrimp: Grey & Pink

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Recreate fly patterns at home! Materials used in making this fly have been included below. Always keep in mind your local fly-fishing store will most likely have the materials referenced, and typically for less. Materials can also be found at Amazon or any other major on-line resource.

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad 34007SS (#4)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, fluorescent shell pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Ande 40 lb Monofilament (dipped in Sally Hansen’s black nail polish)[/list_item]
[list_item]Lady Amherst, red[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, black/ pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, grey[/list_item]
[list_item]Ande 40 lb Monofilament (weed guard)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Here’s one of our renditions of a Ghost shrimp – another great fly for fishing South Florida and Caribbean flats. Anything that looks like a shrimp, crab or baitfish with natural colors and an splash of something bright is already the perfect fly for catching some local game fish. As always, the metallic/ crystal flash really gives the fly some life. Be creative and change up colors. Options for upgrading the pattern are endless.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Bonefish, Permit, Snook, and Redfish – jacks and many other species will also take the fly.

Glowing Micro Shrimp

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Recreate fly patterns at home! Materials used in making this fly have been included below. Always keep in mind your local fly-fishing store will most likely have the materials referenced, and typically for less. Materials can also be found at Amazon or any other major on-line resource.

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad 34007SS (#4)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Monofilament (0.006)[/list_item]
[list_item]Ande 40 lb Monofilament, clear (melted)[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, black/ pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fibers, beige[/list_item]
[list_item]Ice Dub, UV shrimp pink (looks like light orange)[/list_item]
[list_item]Ande 40 lb Monofilament (weed guard)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Another great fly for fishing South Florida and Caribbean flats. Anything that looks like a shrimp or crab with natural colors and an splash of something bright is already the perfect fly for catching some local game fish. As always, the metallic/ crystal flash really gives the fly some life. Add a few strands for legs or antennule. Be creative and change up colors. Options for upgrading the pattern are endless.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Bonefish and Permit – jacks and many other species will also take the fly.

Shrimp: Rusty Claw

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Recreate fly patterns at home! Materials used in making this fly have been included below. Always keep in mind your local fly-fishing store will most likely have the materials referenced, and typically for less. Materials can also be found at Amazon or any other major on-line resource.

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad 34007SS (#4)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, burnt orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, large, gold[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, black/ red[/list_item]
[list_item]Ande 40 lb Monofilament, melted (dipped in Sally Hansen’s black nail polish)[/list_item]
[list_item]Badger, small[/list_item]
[list_item]Marabou, grizzly, burnt orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Ande 40 lb Monofilament (weed guard)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Another great fly for fishing South Florida and Caribbean flats. Anything that looks like a shrimp or crab with natural colors and an splash of something bright is already the perfect fly for catching some local game fish. As always, the metallic/ crystal flash really gives the fly some life. Add a few strands for legs or antennule. Be creative and change up colors. Options for upgrading the pattern are endless.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Bonefish, Permit, Snook, and Redfish – jacks and many other species will also take the fly.

Crystal Minnow: Pink

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Recreate fly patterns at home! Materials used in making this fly have been included below. Always keep in mind your local fly-fishing store will most likely have the materials referenced, and typically for less. Materials can also be found at Amazon or any other major on-line resource.

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad Hook 34007SS (#4)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Thread 210, Fluorescent Shell Pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, Large, Silver[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fibers, Beige[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Fluorescent Shrimp Pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash Chenille, Medium, Shrimp Pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Ande 40 lb Monofilament, Clear (weed guard)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Having a few Crystal Minnows in the fly-box is always a good idea – it’s a perfect rendition of a small baitfish fly that never fouls. This makes it very easy to fish. So far the fly has produced well on the beaches of West Florida and in the backwaters of South Florida. Use white/ pinks/ peach/ chartreuse and various other pale colors with a little mirror crystal flash. Be creative and change up colors. Options for upgrading the pattern are endless.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Snook and Redfish – Bonefish, jacks many other species will also take the fly.

Crazy Charlie: Chartreuse & Peacock

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Recreate fly patterns at home! Materials used in making this fly have been included below. Always keep in mind your local fly-fishing store will most likely have the materials referenced, and typically for less. Materials can also be found at Amazon or any other major on-line resource.

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad 34007SS, Bendback (#4)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, Fluorescent Chartreuse[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, Large, Silver[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Olive/ Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Tinsel, Silver[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Vinyl Rib, Medium, Fluorescent Chartreuse[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fibers, Beige[/list_item]
[list_item]Peacock[/list_item]
[list_item]Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Hardener, Clear (#2103)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Another great fly for fishing South Florida and Caribbean flats. Anything that looks like a shrimp or crab with natural colors and an splash of something bright is already the perfect fly for catching some local game fish. As always, the metallic/ crystal flash really gives the fly some life. Add a few strands for legs or antennule. Be creative and change up colors. Options for upgrading the pattern are endless.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Bonefish and Permit – jacks and many other species will also take the fly.

Puffy Shrimp: Copper

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Recreate fly patterns at home! Materials used in making this fly have been included below. Always keep in mind your local fly-fishing store will most likely have the materials referenced, and typically for less. Materials can also be found at Amazon or any other major on-line resource.

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad 34007SS (#8)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, fluorescent red[/list_item]
[list_item]Brass Eyes, small, painted, orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Flashabou, copper[/list_item]
[list_item]Arctic Fox Fur, Ginger[/list_item]
[list_item]Senyo’s Laser Dub, brown[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Another great fly for fishing South Florida and Caribbean flats. Anything that looks like a shrimp or crab with natural colors and an splash of something bright is already the perfect fly for catching some local game fish. As always, the metallic/ crystal flash really gives the fly some life. Add a few strands for legs or antennule. Be creative and change up colors. Options for upgrading the pattern are endless.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Bonefish and Permit – jacks and many other species will also take the fly.

Crazy Charlie: Orange

Posted on by
Reply


Recreate fly patterns at home! Materials used in making this fly have been included below. Always keep in mind your local fly-fishing store will most likely have the materials referenced, and typically for less. Materials can also be found at Amazon or any other major on-line resource.

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad 34007SS (#6)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, fluorescent fire orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, medium, silver[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, fluorescent fire orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Vinyl Rib, flat, pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Calftail, orange[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Clayton Yee designed this particular fly. You may find quite a few of his designs at his local fly shop, Nervous Water Fly Fishers in Honolulu, HI. Clay established Nervous Water Fly Fishers in 1999 before fly-fishing in the islands really took off. For the few years I lived in Hawaii, he and his shop manager Sean we more than helpful in setting me up with some effective fly patterns. His Mean Streak Gotcha and Reef Special are two more great patterns for Bonefish just about anywhere.

The Orange Crazy Charlie is another great fly for fishing South Florida and Caribbean flats. Anything that looks like a shrimp or crab with natural colors and an splash of something bright is already the perfect fly for catching some local game fish. As always, the metallic/ crystal flash really gives the fly some life. Add a few strands for legs or antennule. Be creative and change up colors. Options for upgrading the pattern are endless.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Bonefish and Permit – jacks and many other species will also take the fly.