Bodkin / Patterns

Bunny Tarpon Fly

Attractor · Tarpon · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Heavy saltwater tarpon hook, 1/0-3/0
  • Thread Red / chartreuse 3/0

Materials

  • Tail Tan / chartreuse / black rabbit (Two rabbit strips)
  • Flash Gold / pearl flash (Few strands Flashabou)
  • Collar Grizzly / matching hackle (Two to four saddle hackles)
  • Head Red / chartreuse material (Thread, built up and coated)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the tarpon hook and start the thread at the 35% mark, well back from the eye. A tarpon fly rides back on the shank.
  2. Tie in two rabbit strips at the 35% mark, splayed slightly apart, extending two to three shank lengths behind the bend for a long breathing tail.
  3. Add a few strands of flash along each side of the tail.
  4. Wrap a collar of two to four soft saddle hackles just ahead of the tail so the fibers sweep back and pulse.
  5. Build a tapered thread head over the front third and whip finish.
  6. Coat the head with UV resin or epoxy so it stands up to a tarpon's abrasive mouth.
  7. Keep the tie-in point back so the fly kicks and folds on the strip.

Tying videos

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