Bodkin / Patterns

Reefer Mantis

Crab · Permit · Bonefish · Redfish · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Standard saltwater, 2-6
  • Thread Tan or Olive 6/0

Materials

  • Dumbbell or bead-chain eyes Plain/painted (1 pair)
  • Craft fur Tan or Olive craft fur (1 clump)
  • Flash Pearl/Root beer flash (few strands)
  • Sili/rubber legs Tan, olive or clear rubber legs (2-3 pairs)
  • Dubbing Tan or olive dry fly dubbing (as needed)
  • Mono weedguard (optional) Clear weed guard (1)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread and, if you want it weedless, tie a mono weedguard stub at the bend.
  2. At the bend tie a craft-fur tail one shank long as the mantis tail fan, add a few strands of flash, and two short antennae of stripped hackle stem or mono.
  3. Lash dumbbell or bead-chain eyes on top near the hook eye so the fly rides point up.
  4. Add pairs of rubber legs along the shank and dub or palmer a shaggy tan/olive body between and around them.
  5. Carry the body forward past the eyes, pick it out shaggy, finish the weedguard loop back to the eye, then whip finish and cement.

Tying videos

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