This is the second installment of Essential Bonefish Patterns • Andros. The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com
What factors led you to design the pattern Henry?
I was a dyed in the wool striper guy living in Stamford, CT and my go to fly was a fly called a coyote. It was a fly fisherman’s version of a Blakemore Roadrunner lure. It caught EVERYTHING! Stripers, blues, largemouth, smallmouth, tarpon…you name it. I figured that the success of the coyote was twofold: 1) the spinner blade used for either flash or vibration and 2) the rabbit strip tail was magical when in the water. That was what led me to the Scampi. It was basically a Gotcha on steroids. I guess if I designed it in the last 4 years I could have named it “the Balco”. The rabbit tail and the extended polar fiber wing gave it that big juicy look Shawn was telling me about. The tan Scampi was an instant success. I had also tied up some pink over tan to give the fish a different look than what they were seeing all the time. Andros was a happening place in the late 90’s and lodges were opening up all over the island. Andros bones were getting lots of pressure. Read the rest of the interview with Henry Cowen.
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 811S sizes #2- #8
Thread: 210 Denier (or similar) Pale Pink (for pink/tan version) Orange (for tan fly)
Tail: Pearl Mylar Braid
Tan zonker strip
Eyes: Medium bead chain (vary the weight of the eyes based on water depth)
Body: Pearl Bill’s Body Braid palmered around hook
Veil: Pearl Krystal Flash
Adhesive: Clear Cure Goo Hydro
7 must have pattens for stalking the giant bonefish that lurk around the island of Andros.- 96 page downloadable pdf. of Essential Bonefish Flies – Andros, illustrated with ultra-hi resolution step-by-step instructions.