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.

Pearlescent Gotcha

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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 Hook (#6)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Thread 210, Fluorescent Shell Pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, Medium, Silver[/list_item]
[list_item]Crystal Flash, Mirror[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fibers, Beige[/list_item]
[list_item]Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Hardener, Clear (#2103)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Gotchas are effective when attracting Bonefish and Permit. Using a color that matches local species and conditions also effects how successful a pattern will be. When challenged with choosing a color for the fly-box or a specific trip, a safe bet is to take some patterns that look translucent, opalescent, or pearlescent. Most shrimp have this characteristic. It would be wise to use soft natural colors as well (i.e. light pinks, oranges, tans, etc.). The pattern seen above is a great example of an effective Gotcha for almost any saltwater application. See Top 10 Patterns for Bonefish for additional effective patterns.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Bonefish and Permit – many other species (i.e. Pompano, other Jacks, etc.) will also take the fly.

Mean Streak Gotcha: Orange & Cream

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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 (#2)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, fluorescent fire orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Brass Eyes, medium, gold[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Sparkle Braid, midge, fluorescent fire orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, fluorescent fire orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Craft Fur, cream[/list_item]
[list_item]Craft Fur, fluorescent 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 Reef Special and Orange Crazy Charlie are two more great patterns for Bonefish just about anywhere.

The Mean Streak Gotcha 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.

Clay’s Reef Special: Yellow

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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 (#2 or #4)[/list_item]
[list_item]Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread, white[/list_item]
[list_item]Real Eyes Plus, Yellow (3/16” for #2 and 5/32” for #4)[/list_item]
[list_item]Polarflash, Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Craft Fur, White[/list_item]
[list_item]Craft Fur, Yellow[/list_item]
[list_item]Variegated Tinsel Chenille, Medium, White/ Pearl[/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 Orange Crazy Charlie are two more great patterns for Bonefish just about anywhere.

Clay’s Reef Special is 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 and Permit – jacks and many other species will also take the fly.

Key Lime 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 (#8)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, fluorescent chartreuse[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, small, black[/list_item]
[list_item]Crystal Flash, olive/ pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Craft Fur, cream[/list_item]
[list_item]Senyo’s Laser Dub, white[/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 and Permit – jacks and many other species will also take the fly.

Crazy Legged Gotcha: 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 (#6)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, small, silver[/list_item]
[list_item]Crazy Legs, pink tipped[/list_item]
[list_item]Midge Body Thread, pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Arctic Fox Fur, white[/list_item]
[list_item]Ande 20 lb Monofilament, clear (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.

Borski’s Fur 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 (#2)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, white[/list_item]
[list_item]Lead Eyes, large, painted, yellow[/list_item]
[list_item]Crystal Flash, olive/ pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Saddle Hackle, grizzly[/list_item]
[list_item]Craft Fur, cream (barred using black Sharpie)[/list_item]
[list_item]Ande 20 lb Monofilament, clear (weed guard)[/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. The lead eyes help keep the “shrimp” sitting in an appropriate position and barring like this will excite predators. 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.

Black Clouser

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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, black[/list_item]
[list_item]Lead Eyes, small, painted, red[/list_item]
[list_item]Crystal Flash, black[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, black[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Clousers are obviously a staple for any angler’s fly-box. Black Clousers will effectively catch fish anywhere. The Clouser emulates a small baitfish and can on occasion look like a shrimp if settled on the sea floor. In South Florida, darker colored flies are typically used around dusk or when the sun goes down. Believe it or not, the fish seem to like the darker colored flies at night. Still not sure how this works.

Clousers of all colors will catch just about any 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 inshore game fish looking for the indigenous baitfish. Tie them bigger for some Pelagic action.

Olive Clouser

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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 (#1/0)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC 210, olive[/list_item]
[list_item]Lead Eyes, painted, large, red[/list_item]
[list_item]Crystal Flash, silver/ gold[/list_item]
[list_item]Crystal Flash, silver/ blue[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, white[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, olive[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Clousers are another very easy entry-level fly to tie. Their simple construction makes it easy to layer a few colors of bucktail or EP Fiber and accent with Crystal Flash of your choice. Every saltwater fly-box should have a small selection of Clousers. It may be the most basic form of a baitfish fly. Bob Clouser originally designed the Clouser (circa 1987). I believe his target fish was Smallmouth Bass. Some popular colors patterns typically include white with olive, chartreuse, grey, blue, and red.

Target Species

This particular fly was originally designed to attract Smallmouth Bass. Over the years, this pattern has been used to catch over 90 species of fish. Species which prey on baitfish will be attracted to the Clouser.