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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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