Bodkin / Patterns

Crazy Charlie

Shrimp · Bonefish · Redfish · Sea Trout · Snook · Permit · Beginner · 1 version

Crazy Charlie fly

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Saltwater hook, 4-8
  • Thread Clear or pink 6/0

Materials

  • Eyes Bead chain or small dumbbell (1 pair)
  • Body Clear V-Rib or crystal flash (wrapped)
  • Wing Calf tail or craft fur (sparse, white or tan)

How to tie it

  1. Mount hook, tie in bead chain eyes on top of the shank near the hook eye with figure-8 wraps.
  2. Wrap the body (clear V-Rib over flash, or plain crystal flash) from the bend up to the eyes. Smooth, slim, translucent.
  3. Flip the hook. Tie in a sparse wing of calf tail or craft fur behind the (now underneath) eyes, so the wing rides over the hook point. The fly swims point-up.
  4. Build a small head, whip finish, cement.

Substitutions

  • Body instead of Clear V-Rib or crystal flash: Pearl Diamond Braid — Classic alternative, easy to wrap; Pearl Flashabou (doubled over) — Quick and flashy; Clear Semperfli Body Glass — Translucent, clean
  • Wing instead of Calf tail or craft fur: Craft fur (tan) — Soft, great movement; Tan EP Fibers — Synthetic, dries fast; White bucktail — Traditional, stiffer profile
  • Eyes instead of Bead chain or small dumbbell: Small lead dumbbell eyes — Heavier, for deeper water; Bead chain eyes — Lighter, for skinny water; Small tungsten eyes — Heaviest option for fast current

Tying videos

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