Bodkin / Patterns

Ray's Redfish Fly

Baitfish · Redfish · Sea Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Short-shank saltwater, e.g. Mustad 34007, 2-2/0
  • Thread Pale yellow or olive 3/0 monocord

Materials

  • Body Silver or pearl body braid (1 length)
  • Wing (bottom) White bucktail, sparse (~30 hairs)
  • Flash Pearl flashabou (4-6 strands)
  • Wing (middle) Yellow bucktail, sparse (small clump)
  • Wing (top) Olive bucktail, sparse (small clump)
  • Topping Peacock herl (4-6 strands)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread behind the eye, wrap to the bend, tie in the body braid and wrap it forward over the shank to form a slim flashy body. Tie off a hook-eye length back.
  2. Tie in a SPARSE clump of white bucktail, about 30 hairs, one and a half hook lengths long, on top of the shank at the head.
  3. Add a few strands of pearl Flashabou over the white.
  4. Tie in an equally sparse clump of yellow bucktail over the flash. The yellow band is Ray Bondorew's signature. It mimics the lateral glow of a spearing (silverside).
  5. Top with sparse olive bucktail, then four to six peacock herls for the back.
  6. Build a neat tapered head, whip finish and cement. Resist adding more hair: this fly works because you can read a newspaper through it.

Tying videos

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