Category Archives: Fly Patterns

Featured Flies – Saltwater flies created by fly tying enthusiasts from all over the globe.

Murray’s Backcountry Baitfish: Chartreuse & Blue

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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 C68SNP-ZS 2XH/2XS (#1)[/list_item]
[list_item]Danville Flymaster, Nylon, 6/0, Fluorescent Pink[/list_item]
[list_item]UNI Thread, Poly, 6/0, White[/list_item]
[list_item]Mono Eyes, medium, Black[/list_item]
[list_item]Craft Fur, fluorescent Chartreuse[/list_item]
[list_item]Finn Raccoon Zonker, Kingfisher Blue[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash Chenille, Medium, Pearl[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

This fly was designed and tied by Joe Murray of Willoughby, OH. Over the last ten years, Joe spent a good portion of his Summer months fishing Fort Meyers, Marco Island, Ding Darling, and Middle Torch Key. These were testing grounds for some of his original and creative fly designs. To learn more about Joe and his line of fly patterns, see our post on Flies by Joe Murray.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Tarpon – many other species will also take the fly.

Black Puff

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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 (.006), clear[/list_item]
[list_item]Danville Flymaster, Nylon, 6/0, red[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, large, silver[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, gold[/list_item]
[list_item]Marabou, yellow[/list_item]
[list_item]Chenille, Ultra, black[/list_item]
[list_item]ANDE, Monofilament, 30 lb, pink[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

This fly was tied by Pete Colding of Southern Boys Flies. Pete spent a good portion of his youth in Southern Florida and holds a few secrets to effectively landing fish. He now ties from North Carolina and ships a good amount of product back to Florida. To learn more about Pete and his extensive inventory, see our post on Southern Boys Flies.

Target Species

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

Olive Drab Crab

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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]Danville Flymaster, Nylon, 6/0, cream[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, large, silver[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fiber, olive[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fiber, golden olive[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, gold[/list_item]
[list_item]Rooster Saddle, grizzly[/list_item]
[list_item]Squirrel Tail, natural gray[/list_item]
[list_item]Sili Legs, Round Rubber, Barred, yellow/ black (tips colored red w Sharpie)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

This fly was tied by Pete Colding of Southern Boys Flies. Pete spent a good portion of his youth in Southern Florida and holds a few secrets to effectively landing fish. He now ties from North Carolina and ships a good amount of product back to Florida. To learn more about Pete and his extensive inventory, see our post on Southern Boys Flies.

Target Species

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

Southern Toad

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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 Monofilament (.006), clear[/list_item]
[list_item]Bead Chain Eyes, medium, silver[/list_item]
[list_item]EP fiber, green chartreuse[/list_item]
[list_item]Marabou, fluorescent chartreuse[/list_item]
[list_item]Marabou, fluorescent yellow[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

This fly was tied by Pete Colding of Southern Boys Flies. Pete spent a good portion of his youth in Southern Florida and holds a few secrets to effectively landing fish. He now ties from North Carolina and ships a good amount of product back to Florida. To learn more about Pete and his extensive inventory, see our post on Southern Boys Flies.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Tarpon and Redfish – many other species will also take the fly.

Bugger Buddy: Olive

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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 (#2/0)[/list_item]
[list_item]Danville Flymaster Thread, Nylon, 6/0, Olive[/list_item]
[list_item]Painted Dumbbell Eyes, Medium, Pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fiber, Beige (barred w Black Sharpie)[/list_item]
[list_item]Calftail, Cream[/list_item]
[list_item]Marabou, Olive[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

This fly was tied by Pete Colding of Southern Boys Flies. Pete spent a good portion of his youth in Southern Florida and holds a few secrets to effectively landing fish. He now ties from North Carolina and ships a good amount of product back to Florida. To learn more about Pete and his extensive inventory, see our post on Southern Boys Flies.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Redfish – many other species will also take the fly.

Nail Biter

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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 Monofilament (.006), clear[/list_item]
[list_item]Chenille, fluorescent chartreuse (palmered underneath shell/ nail)[/list_item]
[list_item]Rooster Saddle, grizzly[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, olive/ pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Sili Legs, Chartreuse / Black Flake[/list_item]
[list_item]Acrylic False Nail, Metallic Silver[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

This fly was designed in 1991 by Pete Colding of Southern Boys Flies. Pete spent a good portion of his youth in Southern Florida and holds a few secrets to effectively landing fish. He now ties from North Carolina and ships a good amount of product back to Florida. To learn more about Pete and his extensive inventory, see our post on Southern Boys Flies.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Snook – many other species will also take the fly.

Bonefish Clouser: Pink & Beige

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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, tan[/list_item]
[list_item]Brass Eyes, medium, nickel[/list_item]
[list_item]Gliss’n Glow, salmon[/list_item]
[list_item]Gliss’n Glow, light purple[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, natural beige[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, white[/list_item]
[list_item]Bucktail, pink[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Having a sandy colored Clouser in the box is always a smart idea. Adding a hint of colored Gliss’n Glow, makes the pattern even better. Using olive, copper, orange, pink, red, purple, blue, black, and numerous others simply make the Clouser more attractive. Have fun experimenting!

Target Species

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

Crystal Schminnow: Bright White

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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]Bead Chain Eyes, large, black[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash Chenille, medium, pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Marabou, Stung, white[/list_item]
[/list]

Norm’s Version

[list]
[list_item]Mustad S71SZ-34007 (#2)[/list_item]
[list_item]Danville, Nylon, Flat Wax, white[/list_item]
[list_item]Mono Eyes, black[/list_item]
[list_item]Crystal Chenille, white or Estaz, 10mm, pearl [/list_item]
[list_item]Marabou, white[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Norm Zeigler’s popular Crystal Schminnow (part shrimp and part minnow) was originally tied in white with a trimmed tail. The tail in my version above is untrimmed. Norm’s original idea was to create a lightweight fly aimed at targeting Snook in the shallow waters along beaches in South Florida. A light fly was important to keep splashing to a minimum. The original Schminnow was first created 15 years ago. To this day, Norm indicates the Schminnow has landed 55 species of fish in salt and freshwater. If my facts are straight, he’s caught 34 of the species himself. Schminnows can be tied with dumbbell eyes to make them heavier. The deeper water version has been known to round up Seatrout, Pompano, Striped Bass, and more. Norm Zeigler’s Fly Shop is located on Sanibel Island, FL – stop in and share your Schminnow success stories. If you don’t have any now, you will! Here’s a map.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Snook – many other species will also take the fly.

Seaducer: Burnt Orange

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Recreate this fly at home! A list of materials used to make this fly are 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, black[/list_item]
[list_item]Brass Eyes, medium, gold[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, gold[/list_item]
[list_item]Marabou, Grizzly, burnt orange[/list_item]
[list_item]Rooster Neck, Prime, chinchilla[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Seaducers were most likely one of the original streaming flies. From their basic construction, it’s safe to assume many were tying this streamer mid century. For saltwater applications, sparsely made Seaducers simulate shrimp. Red and White Seaducers are very popular, however many other color combinations can be lethal. Ask your local fly-fishing shop for effective colors in your targeted fishery.

Target Species

This particular fly was designed to attract Redfish – many other species will also take the fly, all depending on how bushy the fly is tied. Larger/ fluffier versions will work well for landing Tarpon, Shark, Barracuda and other large predators.

Marco Magic: Deceiver In Pink & Purple

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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, white[/list_item]
[list_item]Brass Eyes, medium, nickel[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fiber, pink[/list_item]
[list_item]EP Fiber, red[/list_item]
[list_item]Krystal Flash, UV purple[/list_item]
[list_item]Crystal Flash, mirror[/list_item]
[list_item]Sparkle Braid, pearl[/list_item]
[list_item]Berkley Vanish, Fluorocarbon, 30#, clear (weed guard)[/list_item]
[/list]

Design Inspiration & Detail

Just last week, I bumped into several folks walking the lagoon side of Tigertail Beach on Marco Island, FL. All seemed like locals who frequent the fishing spot. Each made a reference to using Deceivers, Charlies, and Clousers all having some sort of flash and shade of pink. No need to tell me twice – looking to get back out and get it wet.

Share your version of Marco Magic! Tell us what lands you more fish out on Marco Island…

Target Species

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