Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Gamakatsu SL12S Hook (#2 or #1/0)[/list_item]
[list_item]Danville Flat Waxed Thread, 210, Fluorescent Orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Painted Dumbbell Eyes, Medium, Yellow[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, Orange (barring w Black Sharpie)[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, Chartreuse (barring w Black Sharpie)[/list_item]
[list_item]Rabbit, Cross Cut, Red[/list_item]
[list_item]ZAP-A-GAP[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

This fly was designed and tied by Jesus Mora of Salty River Fly Company in Naples, FL. When considering a hook for this fly, he prefers the heavy duty Gamakatsu. A great less-sturdy option would be a Mustad C47SD Shrimp Hook in size #1 or #1/0. For eyes, red is another great option – vary the weight according to the desired sink rate. If more swimming action is needed in the fly, use marabou instead of Bucktail. Yellow makes for another great color when designing the body. Jesus indicated two strands of Krystal Flash on each side works best. Chartreuse is a great alternate thread color and Red Arctic Fox is great alternate material for the gills. Consider using a blue and red Sharpie for dual-tone barring.

Over the last several years, Jesus spent most of his time fly-fishing the Gulf side of Florida, including a good portion of the Everglades and 10,000 Islands. A majority of his fly-fishing is done on foot, wading with alligators and the occasional python. These are testing grounds for some of his original and creative fly designs. To learn more about Jesus and his line of fly patterns, see our post on Salty River Fly Company.

Target Species

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad Hook 34007SS (#4)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Thread 210, Tan[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, Large, Black[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Olive[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Black/ Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Rooster Cape, Grizzly Variant (for body and claws)[/list_item]
[list_item]Berkley Vanish, Fluorocarbon, 30#, Clear (weed guard)[/list_item]
[list_item]Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Hardener, Clear (#2103)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

This fly pattern is very simple to make. Technically one long rooster quill (in Grizzly, Cree, or Barred Dark Ginger) could make several flies. Add your desired color of Crystal Flash and your done! I tied in a few colors of flash above to show how different they can look. I added the Black/ Pearl Krystal Flash for antennae to further excite the fish. Add rubber legs if you like – the options are endless.

Target Species

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Partridge John Holden Sea Hook (#4) or Orvis O’Shaughnessy Hook (#6)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Thread 210, Black or Tan[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, Large, Silver[/list_item]
[list_item]Chenille, Medium, Brown & Tan (Brown & Light Olive also pictured)[/list_item]
[list_item]SLF Prism Dubbing, Orange & Pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Pheasant Tail[/list_item]
[list_item]Centipede Rubber Legs, Small or Mini, Grey[/list_item]
[list_item]Crystal or Midge Flash, Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Golden Pheasant Tippet[/list_item]
[list_item]Woodchuck or Coyote[/list_item]
[list_item]Bristles from a hair-brush (tipped w Black Sharpie)[/list_item]
[list_item]Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Hardener, Clear (#2103)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Detail

This fly was designed and tied by Dron Lee of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2013. This is one of many original designs by Dron. To learn how to tie the Cuban Shrimp v2 step-by-step, see Dron’s Cuban Shrimp v2 blog posting.

Target Species

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad Hook 34007SS (#4)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Thread 210, White[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, Large, Black[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Red/ Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, UV Purple[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Black/ Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Crystal Flash, Mirror (manufactured by Rumpf)[/list_item]
[list_item]Senyo’s Laser Dub, Tan[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, Pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Hardener, Clear (#2103)[/list_item]
[list_item]Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Xtreme Wear, Disco Ball (#180)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

I wanted to create a shrimp fly with very neutral tones (pastels of light pinks, tans, etc.) and contrast them with dark colored antennae. Figured this would work very well in Caribbean waters where pinks, tans, and browns do the trick. While tying the fly, I kept twists to a minimum for dubbing and added wing material sparsely. For a little zing/ flash, I used Sally Hansen Hard As Nails (Disco Ball) – the metal flake in this stuff is wild.

Target Species

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad Hook 34007SS (#2)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Thread 210, Tan[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Black/ Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Copper[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Fluorescent Fire Orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Japanese Glass Seed Beads, Silver Lined, 4 mm, Orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Japanese Glass Seed Beads, Silver Lined, 4 mm, Light Pink (looks gray however)[/list_item]
[list_item]Berkley Vanish, Fluorocarbon, 30 lb, Clear, Melted (dipped in Sally Hansen Black nail polish)[/list_item]
[list_item]Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Hardener, Clear (#2103)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

I’ve been experimenting with these glass seed beads since MAY 2014. I went looking for something like a brass bead (having a small amount of weight) that wouldn’t tarnish. Stumbled upon these glass beads in an art store (Michael’s) and figured they might be the ticket. Beautiful part about them is the fact they are lined with silver – this really adds some longevity to their brilliance under water. Another great attribute is the fact they barley slide over the smashed barb on a #2 hook – this means they ride relatively tight to the hook shank. If tied properly, the beads also give some audible clicking when retrieving – the beads slide back and forth into one another.

Make sure to wrap the shank of the hook with thread at least one time – this will make it so the silver lining inside each bead will remain intact. The reflection does wonders for attracting fish. Some have asked how I get the flat surface when melting my shrimp eyes. I just recently started using Fluorocarbon. Melting fluorocarbon gives a smaller profile of eye and also yields a flatter surface.

For those interested in the relative weight of the fly: The five (5) seed beads used on the hook weigh one-quarter of a gram – this is equal to one set of Bead Chain Eyes.

Target Species

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad Hook 34007SS (#2)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Thread 210, White[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, UV Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Crystal Flash, Mirror (manufactured by Rumpf)[/list_item]
[list_item]Japanese Glass Seed Beads, Silver Lined, 4 mm, Pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Japanese Glass Seed Beads, Silver Lined, 4 mm, Light Pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, Medium, Natural (White/ Tan)[/list_item]
[list_item]Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Hardener, Clear (#2103)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

I’ve been experimenting with these glass seed beads since MAY 2014. I went looking for something like a brass bead (having a small amount of weight) that wouldn’t tarnish. Stumbled upon these glass beads in an art store (Michael’s) and figured they might be the ticket. Beautiful part about them is the fact they are lined with silver – this really adds some longevity to their brilliance under water. Another great attribute is the fact they barley slide over the smashed barb on a #2 hook – this means they ride relatively tight to the hook shank. If tied properly, the beads also give some audible clicking when retrieving – the beads slide back and forth into one another.

Make sure to wrap the shank of the hook with thread at least one time – this will make it so the silver lining inside each bead will remain intact. The reflection does wonders for attracting fish.

For those interested in the relative weight of the fly: The five (5) seed beads used on the hook weigh one-quarter of a gram – this is equal to one set of Bead Chain Eyes.

Target Species

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad Hook 34007SS (#2)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Thread 210, Tan[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, Large, Gold[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Black/ Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, UV Purple[/list_item]
[list_item]Ice Dub, UV Shrimp Pink (always appears orange)[/list_item]
[list_item]Senyo’s Fusion Dub, Flame[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fiber, Black[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fiber, Beige[/list_item]
[list_item]Rooster Saddle, Long, Natural Brown[/list_item]
[list_item]Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Hardener, Clear (#2103)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

A Bonefish fly is really one of the easiest flies to tie. I pulled together a few natural colors and began experimenting with scampi and shrimp patterns until this fly materialized. More often than not, my greatest creations come from haphazard placement of materials. In an effort to hide the dubbing from the top of the fly and give it a shinny shell-like back, I took some Beige EP Fiber and created a “band” over the top. The champagne look of the Beige color really gives the fly a shimmer and adds some overall contrast. I also used only ten (10) strands of Black EP Fiber and tied it in with Krystal Flash. The EP Fiber strands are so thin, it seemed perfect for simulating all the minutia (stuff) that sits in front of the shrimp. Don’t ask me what the stuff is, I couldn’t tell you. We know it looks good though! Take this pattern and change up the colors – make it work for the next place you plan to chase Bonefish or Permit.

Target Species

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad Hook 34007SS (#4)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Thread 210, Tan[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, Large, Black[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Royal Blue[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Black/ Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Rooster Cape, Grizzly Variant (for body and claws)[/list_item]
[list_item]Berkley Vanish, Fluorocarbon, 30#, Clear (weed guard)[/list_item]
[list_item]Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Hardener, Clear (#2103)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

This fly pattern is very simple to make. Technically one long rooster quill (in Grizzly, Cree, or Barred Dark Ginger) could make several flies. Add your desired color of Crystal Flash and your done! I tied in a few colors of flash above to show how different they can look. I added the Black/ Pearl Krystal Flash for antennae to further excite the fish. Add rubber legs if you like – the options are endless.

Target Species

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad Hook 34007SS (#6)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Thread 210, Fluorescent Shell Pink[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, Medium, Silver[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Silver[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, Natural (Tan)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Tinsel, Holographic, Medium, Silver[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC V-Rib, Medium, Clear[/list_item]
[list_item]Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Hardener, Clear (#2103)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

One of the most basic forms of a Bonefish fly is the Crazy Charlie – simply some vinyl wrapping around a thread color of choice and wing of Bucktail or the like. If you’re heading out for Bonefish, tie a bunch of Crazy Charlies in colors known to work well in the area. In my case, pink and tan is a great color combo for Caribbean waters. Throw in some metallic or UV flash to attract additional fish.

You may notice an inconsistency with how the tinsel is wrapped around the hook shank (under the V-Rib). Your tinsel wrapping can be contiguous, however doesn’t have to be. It all depends on how asymmetrical/ realistic you want your flies to be.

Target Species

Fly-Tying Materials

[list]
[list_item]Mustad Hook 34007SS (#4)[/list_item]
[list_item]UTC Thread 210, Black[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Black/ Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, Fluorescent Fire Orange[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fiber, Black[/list_item]
[list_item]Peacock[/list_item]
[list_item]Marabou, Fluorescent Orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Rooster Neck, Prime, Chinchilla[/list_item]
[list_item]Senyo’s Fusion Dub, Flame[/list_item]
[list_item]Berkley Vanish, Fluorocarbon, 40 lb, Clear (weed guard)[/list_item]
[list_item]Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Hardener, Clear (#2103)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

When designing a new fly, I think a lot of fly-tyers sit down at the bench with a general concept of what they want to tie and end up tying something quite different. I continually read stories written by fly-tyers having a common denominator: organic creation. Many of us who tie flies know exactly what this means. All is going well at one point, adding layer by layer, until the dubbing gets botched or palmering the hackle doesn’t lay right. Can’t tell how many times I’ve tried to secure some saddle hackle for wings and the feather rolls on me. A goal in this design was to dub the core loosely to increase the fuzziness and push back the hackle slightly – this gives the fly a dart-like shape. In the case of this particular fly, I wanted to create Bonefish and Permit shrimp pattern with shades of orange and tan, with peppering highlights. The peacock hurl for claws gave it a nice touch. I included a tiny bit of black EP Fiber between the claws to simulate antennule or flagellum – it notches up the authenticity a bit.

Target Species