FLY TYING BENCH

MARATHON, FLORIDA KEYS

FLORIDA KEYS BONEFISH AND PERMIT FLIES

THE ABOMINATION
The Abomination - Florida Keys fly selection

THE ABOMINATION

The Abomination was created while sitting at my vice with one of my clients Raymond Laurel. This pattern is certainly one of my favorite patterns to throw. Although tied for Bonefish, this pattern has been eaten by redfish, baby tarpon, jacks, ladyfish and many more species

TAIL: Tan Craft Fur, Pearl Crystal Flash


BODY: Tan and Cream bug yarn


THREAD: Chartruese


EYES: Medium Bead Chain


MARKERS: Olive and Chartruese


HOOK: MUSTAD C68SNP-DT #2, #4

DIFFICULTY


THE TASTY TOAD
The Tasty Toad  - Florida Keys fly selection

THE TASTY TOAD

This fly has been in my fly box for the last 6 or 7 years or so. This is my go to fly. When all else fails, chuck the toad. When tied with gold flash in the tail, this becomes a deadly redfish fly too!! This fly is the modified version of the original. Original pattern by Captain Harry Spear

TAIL: Tan and White marabou, two grizzly hackles and pearl Krystal flash


BODY: Tan poly yarn


THREAD: Chartruese


EYES: Small or Medium Lead eyes


HOOK: MUSTAD C68SNP-DT #2, #4

DIFFICULTY


THE FLATS SHRIMP
The Flats Shrimp - Florida Keys fly selection

THE FLATS SHRIMP

This bonefish fly is one of my newest patterns and easily becoming one of my favorites. Its simple but very effective. I also tie a bigger version for ocean Tarpon, which to say the least they munch HARD.


TAIL: Cree Hackles - 2 on each side - splayed


BODY: Brown Craft Fur dubbed in


HEAD: Tan EP Fibers - dubbed in or EP shrimp dub brush


THREAD: Tan 3/0 Flat Waxed


EYES: Medium Lead eyes


HOOK: MUSTAD C68SNP-DT #2, #4

DIFFICULTY


DEER HAIR SHRIMP
The Deer Hair Shrimp - Florida Keys fly selection

THE DEER HAIR SHRIMP

This fly is basically a Borski Slider except the body is craft fur. We all know how Borksi flies work! Any fly designed by Tim is a winner!



TAIL: Tan Craft Fur and Pearl Krystal Flash


BODY: Rust Craft Fur


HEAD: Deer Body Hair


THREAD: Tan


EYES: Medium Bead Chain, Mono Eyes


HOOK: MUSTAD C68SNP-DT #2, #4

DIFFICULTY


THE GOTCHA
The Gotcha - Florida Keys fly selection

THE GOTCHA

Not much to say about this must-have pattern. You should stuff as many as you can in your fly box. Proven to catch bonefish where ever they live.


TAIL: Pearl Mylar Tubing


BODY: Pearl Sparkle Braid


WING: Tan Craft Fur, Chartruese Pearl Krystal Flash.


THREAD: Pink


EYES: Medium Bead Chain


HOOK: MUSTAD C68SNP-DT #2, #4

DIFFICULTY


THE GOOMBA
The Goomba - Florida Keys fly selection

THE GOOMBA

This has been the fly I've used the most over the last 4 or 5 years. In addition to being an incredible bonefish fly, It's almost my go to Permit fly now too. Tie yourself a box of these and you'll be good for bones and Permit - no doubt. 

TAIL: Tan Artic Fox or Tan Craft fur


BODY: EP Shrimp Dub Brush .75" or FTD Tan Congo Hair


WING: Tan Artic Fox or Tan Craft fur


LEGS: Barred Silicone Legs. Pearl with Fluorescent orange tips


THREAD: Hot Orange


EYES: Medium Brass eyes


HOOK: MUSTAD C68SNP-DT  #2, #1

DIFFICULTY


THE FUZZY TARPON
The Fuzzy Merkin - Florida Keys fly selection

THE FUZZY MERKIN

This fly is a Merkin tied inverted. After tying in the yarn, I take a small wire brush and brush out the yarn. It makes the appearance of a complete shell. It also sinks faster. This fly can be tied in various colors and sized. If tied on a size 2 or 4, it can be deadly on bonefish and redfish.

TAIL: Brown Marabou, Pearl Krystal Flash


BODY: Brown Sparkle Yarn


LEGS: Tan Rubber Legs


THREAD: Orange


HOOK: MUSTAD C68SNP-DT  #2, #4

DIFFICULTY


THE STRONG ARM CRAB
The Strong Arm - Florida Keys fly selection

THE STRONG ARM CRAB

The Strong Arm Crab has easily become the one of the most popular Permit flies in the last few years. I tie mine slightly different than the original. I'm a huge fan of EP fiber over Sparkle Yarn. This is my version.

TAIL: Claw made with mini chenille


BODY: White saddle hackle, Tan Ep Shrimp Dub Brush


LEGS: Pearl, orange tipped silicone legs


THREAD: Wine or your choice


EYES: Medium Brass Eyes


HOOK: MUSTAD C68SNP-DT #2, #4

DIFFICULTY


FLORIDA KEYS TARPON FLIES

THE  CRAIG'S DELIGHT
The CD - Florida Keys fly selection

THE CD - CRAIG'S DELIGHT

The CD is by far the best tarpon pattern I have ever used. I mostly use this pattern for laid up tarpon in the backcountry. It's irresistible. I haven't had to change this pattern once in the last 4 years. It is the "laid up" tarpon devastator.

TAIL: 2 yellow, 2 white and 2 grizzly hackles splayed outward, yellow krystal flash


BODY: 2 yellow and 2 white hackles palmered - alternating


FLASH: Pearl Krystal Flash


THREAD: Yellow


BUMP: Yellow Chenille


HOOK: GAMI  SL12 1/0 
MUSTAD C68SNP-DT  #1/0

DIFFICULTY


THE GURGLER
The Gurgler - Florida Keys fly selection

THE GURGLER

The Gurgler is a foam top water popper. Great fly for Baby Tarpon, Snook and just about any top water feeder.



TAIL: Tan Polar Fiber or Craft Fur


BODY: Olive Estaz, Palmered Hackle


HEAD: Tan Fly Foam


THREAD: Tan


HOOK: GAMI  SC-15 1/0 

DIFFICULTY


THE INHALER
The Inhaler - Florida Keys fly selection

THE INHALER

This fly is my favorite fly to throw at baby tarpon on dark or blotchy bottom. I've also caught many large tarpon on the Inhaler in the Islamorada backcountry as well. A quick tap retrieve is best.

TAIL: Rabbit Zonker - Chartruese


HEAD: Medium Chartreuse Estaz 


THREAD: Chartreuse 3/0 Flat Waxed


EYES:  Plastic Mono eyes


HOOK: GAMI  SC-15 #1/0

DIFFICULTY


CRAFT FUR POON FLY
Coming soon

CRAFT FUR POON FLY

This is a good all around baby tarpon fly but the snook have been loving at as well. I've also been  throwing this fly in a black and purple combo for murky water situations. 

TAIL: White Craft Fur, UV Krystal Flash Herring Back


BODY: Chartreuse Rabbit 


HEAD:  Dubbed White Craft fur


THREAD: Chartreuse


EYES:  Black Mono Eyes


HOOK: Mustad C68SNP-DT #1 or Gamakatsu SC-15 #1/0

DIFFICULTY


FLORIDA KEYS SNOOK FLIES, REDFISH FLIES AND MISC

THE REDFISH SEADUCER
The Redfish Seaducer - Florida Keys fly selection

THE REDFISH SEADUCER

Talk about a fly that can catch some redfish! This fly is known to catch redfish in Texas as well as Florida. Great fly for tailing reds. It can also be tied with lead eyes for deep water situations.

TAIL: Four Grizzly Hackles Splayed Outward. (two on each side)


FLASH: Gold or Copper Krystal Flash


BODY: Three grizzly hackles palmered


HEAD: Orange Medium Ice Chenille


THREAD: Orange


HOOK: MUSTAD C68SNP-DT #2, #4

DIFFICULTY


THE WHITE WIDOW

THE WHITE WIDOW

This is a great all around baitfish pattern fly. Great for Snook, tarpon or just about anything that will eat baitfish. This fly imitates a finger mullet.

TAIL: White Rabbit Zonker Strip


BODY: Dan Bailey's Body Fur or EP Fiber


EYES: 3D Plastic Eyes


HEAD: Orange Medium Ice Chenille


MARKERS: Black, Purple, Red


THREAD: Wine


HOOK: MUSTAD C68SNP-DT #1

DIFFICULTY


THE REDFISH TURD
The Mad Pumpkin- Florida Keys fly selection

THE REDFISH TURD

This fly is one of my favorite flies to throw at redfish in shallow water. I normally tie this on a Gamakatsu B10 Stinger in size #2  hook but decided to try the Jig hook. The B10  floats a bit higher.  

TAIL: Borwn Marabow, Gold FireFly


BODY: Brown Hackle


HEAD: EP Shrimp Brush .75"


THREAD: Orange


EYES: Medium Bead Chain Black


HOOK: Victory Hooks 10413 TN or B!0 Stinger #1 and #2

DIFFICULTY