Bodkin / Patterns

Bonefish Bug with Real Eyes

Shrimp · Bonefish · Permit · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Standard saltwater flats hook (e.g. Gamakatsu SC15, Mustad 34007), straight-eye, 4-8
  • Thread Tan 140 denier / 3/0

Materials

  • Eyes Lead/brass dumbbell with painted 'real eyes' (chrome/red) (1 pair, small-medium)
  • Tail Tan craft fur or rabbit fur (a sparse clump, one shank length)
  • Flash Pearl or tan Krystal Flash (4-6 strands)
  • Body/legs Tan Estaz or cactus chenille (1 length)
  • Legs Tan/pearl rubber legs (optional) (2-3 pairs)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread and tie in the dumbbell 'Real Eyes' with tight figure-8 wraps about one eye-width behind the hook eye, then lock with a few wraps under the shank. The heavier lead/brass eyes make this the deeper-sinking version and flip the fly hook-point-up.
  2. Run the thread to the bend and tie in a sparse tail of tan craft fur one shank length long plus 4-6 strands of pearl Krystal Flash.
  3. Tie in the tan Estaz/cactus chenille at the bend; add a splayed pair of rubber legs at the tail if desired.
  4. Palmer the chenille forward in touching turns to the eyes, figure-8 around them, tie off and trim.
  5. Optionally add a pair of rubber legs each side at mid-body and pick out the chenille to fatten the body.
  6. Whip finish behind the hook eye and add head cement.

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