Bodkin / Patterns

Bonefish Gotcha Tailing

Shrimp · Bonefish · Permit · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Standard saltwater flats hook (Tiemco 811S / Daiichi 2546), straight-eye, 6-8
  • Thread Pink 140 denier / 3/0

Materials

  • Eyes Small mono/plastic eyes, or none (tied 'blind') (1 pair or omit)
  • Tail Pearl mylar tubing (core removed) (1 inch)
  • Body Pearl diamond braid / flat pearl mylar (1 length)
  • Wing Tan craft fur (a sparse clump)
  • Flash Pearl Krystal Flash (4-6 strands)

How to tie it

  1. Lay down a pink thread base. For tailing fish, use only tiny mono eyes or tie the fly 'blind' with no eyes at all so it enters the water almost silently in inches-deep water.
  2. Tie in a 1-inch cored pearl mylar tube tail at the bend, half an inch trailing.
  3. Tie in the pearl diamond braid and wrap forward to the head; tie off and trim.
  4. Tie in a very sparse tan craft fur wing over the back (kept thin so the near-weightless fly still turns over and lands softly).
  5. Add 4-6 strands of pearl Krystal Flash as a wing veil.
  6. Build the pink thread head, whip finish and add a touch of UV resin.

Tying videos

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