Salty Fly Tying

I admit over the last 20+ years, I have created some really scary  flies that cast like trash can lids or disintegrate with the first round of false casts, but that’s how you learn. Spot-on realistic flies and extremely delicate shadow-box flies that will never touch the water have their place, but if your aim is to wrestle fish, then you need to take a few more things into consideration.  I like to start with ” The 3 Abilities  I thing all flies should have; Durability, Castability and Fishabiility”

This is the second installment of  Feather Brain by Drew Chicone. To read more about Developing, Testing, & Improving Saltwater Fly Patterns,Visit my website Salty Fly Tying to order your signed copy  of  Feather Brain today!  $24.95 + Shipping

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Although there are how-to’s for my favorite patterns, my goal is not only to teach you how to tie a particular fly, but rather to explain how to create new productive flies and the reasons why one material may work better in a given situation than another. If you understand why historically productive patterns work so well, it will help you design flies that look cool and catch fish too. My process starts with the fish!

This is the first installment of  Feather Brain by Drew Chicone. To read more about Developing, Testing, & Improving Saltwater Fly Patterns,Visit my website Salty Fly Tying to order your signed copy of Feather Brain today!  $24.95 + Shipping

Analyzing feeding behavior by asking myself a few questions has shaped the way I create flies. Most of the time each question has multiple possible answers, and maybe there is no way of knowing the exact answer. However, after working through these questions, I have a pretty good idea of what types of materials I need to be lashing to the hook and what kind of hook I need to use as a foundation.

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After nearly two years of work, I am very happy to say  that  my latest book Feather Brain  – Developing, Testing, & Improving Saltwater Fly Patterns will debut in 30 days!

The concept of this book is how to create saltwater fly patterns and the thought process that takes place to do so, not necessarily a how to tie this fly or that fly tutorial.  Its meant to be a deep dive into “why” you should choose a given material or technique for creating custom patterns for constantly changing fishing situations and conditions.  My goal is to shine a light on all the factors that must be consider to create saltwater flies that do more than look good on a website.

Visit my website Salty Fly Tying to order your signed copy today!  $24.95 + Shipping

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Over the past few weeks I have given you the basics on the 7 must-have pattens for stalking the giant bonefish that lurk around  the island of  Andros.  Simply click on the link or icon above to download the 96 page pdf. of Essential Bonefish Flies – Andros, illustrated with ultra-hi resolution  step-by-step instructions. $14.99

Otherwise, read on and I’ll recap all of the material covered.

1. Ververka Mantis Shrimp • Bob Ververka
2. Bonefish Scampi • Henry Cowen
3. Gotcha • Jim McVay
4. 90 Percenter • Oliver Owens
5. Tranqu-Hill-izer • Drew Chicone
6. Bon Appétit • Drew Chicone
7. Avalon • Mauro Ginevri

For more information on how  you can improve your own saltwater fly patterns check out my website www.saltyflytying.com or;

• Download my other eBook 
• Subscribe to the monthly newsletter Salty Fly Tying Chronicle .

For a deep dive into the world of saltwater pattern development, look for my new book Feather Brain – How to design better saltwater flies coming next August. You can Pre Order a copy by clicking here.

Thanks for reading, and if you have questions or other topics in mind you would like explained, feel free to comment or send me an email.

Keep Your Wraps Tight & Feathers Straight

-Drew

This is the sixth installment of  Essential Bonefish Patterns • Andros. The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com

Why did you choose the materials you did and the techniques to apply them Drew?

I like the Arctic fox for a wing when I am fishing in shallow water because it does not get saturated and retain water like a rabbit zonker strip does. For smaller flies or when Arctic Fox is not available, I trim rabbit hair from the zonker strip. Both materials move very well in the water with the slightest currents, even if the fly is sitting stationary. The clear legs with silver metal flake kill two birds with one stone. They add movement and flash to the fly without adding another color. The translucency of the clear legs only gives a glint of silver every once in a while unlike flashier materials.

Materials

Hook: Diiachi 2546 or Tiemco 811S sizes #2- #4

Thread: 210 Denier Pale Pink

Tail: Shrimp Pink Krystal Flash

Wing: Tan Arctic Fox or Rabbit Hair Trimmed from the hide.   

Eyes: Medium bead chain (vary the weight of the eyes based on water depth)

Body: Shrimp Pink Diamond Braid palmered around hook

Veil: Shrimp Pink Krystal Flash

Legs: Clear with Silver Metal Flake Sili Legs

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.

This is the seventh installment of  Essential Bonefish Patterns • Andros. The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com

In your opinion what makes the pattern so effective Mauro?

Although the Avalon pattern is primarily known as a Permit Fly, it is also extremely effective on large bonefish.  The hook rides up all the time. The secret of the fly is the way you fix the keel with the 4 beads .Many tiers they leave the keel to open and the beads don’t run well on the monofilament . The right way is to fix the keel so it has a  half moon shape.  Read the rest of the interview with Mauro Ginevri.

Materials

Hook: Daiichi 2546 or Tiemco 811 S size 2

Thread for body: UTC Ultra 140-Tan

Eyes : Dumbbell eyes 3 mm – silver or gold

Antennae : Black or wine colored Krystal flash

Legs : Two strands grizzly barred rubber medium orange

Mouth: Arctic fox tail dyed yellow-orange, tips cut

Body :  Beige Marabou

Shellback: Pearl Diamond Braid 

Claws : Two Straight-cut zonker strips in light tan

Keel : Hard nylon 20 lb with four silver, gold or stainless steel beads 2,8 mm.

Thread for head: UTC Ultra 210-fluorescent orange

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.

This is the fifth installment of  Essential Bonefish Patterns • Andros. The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com

In your opinion what makes the pattern so effective Drew?

The heavy layer of orange thread underneath the translucent pearl diamond braid seems to radiate through, giving the fly a subtle, yet lifelike color that draws the bonefish’s attention from a great distance.  On closer inspection, the brightly colored legs wiggle profusely even if the fly is stationary.  Read the rest of the interview with Drew Chicone

Materials

Hook: Diiachi 2546 or Tiemco 811S sizes #2- #4

Thread: 210 Denier Fl. Orange

Tail: Pearl Mylar Tubing

Wing: Tan Rabbit Zonker

Eyes: 5/32 Yellow Dumbbell

Body: Pearl Diamond Braid palmered around hook

Veil: Orange or Root-beer Krystal Flash

Legs: Shrimp Pink Loco Legs

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.

This is the third  installment of  Essential Bonefish Patterns • Andros. The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com

With out a doubt the most popular and productive bonefish fly of all time!  It doesn’t mater where on the plant you plan on chasing bonefish, you better have a few of these in in your box tied in a variety of sizes and weights.

Materials

Hook: Tiemco 811S (or similar) sizes #2- #8

Thread: 210 Denier (or similar) Pale Pink

Tail: Pearl Mylar Braid

Wing: Tan or Cream Craft Fur

Eyes: Eyes: Medium bead chain (vary the weight of the eyes based on water depth)

Body: Pearl Diamond Braid palmered around hook

Veil: Pearl or Yellow 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.

This is the fourth installment of  Essential Bonefish Patterns • Andros. The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded from www.saltyflytying.com

Why did you choose the materials you did and the techniques to apply them Oliver?

I choose the Arctic Fox because I wanted a material that was a little more durable than marabou.  I also liked the softer more  natural looking tones that were produced by using the combination of the Arctic Fox with the Fish Hair topping.   The technique of fanning the Arctic Fox is very important, because that is what give the pattern its crabby profile. Also reverse tying the Fish Hair will give you a more intense color near the head of the fly.  To Read the rest of the interview with Oliver Owens purchase my ebook Essential Bonefish Patterns • Andros.

Materials

Hook: Tiemco 811S (or similar) sizes #2- #8

Thread: 4 lb Monofilament

Tail: Root-beer Krystal Flash

Wing: Tan Arctic Fox

UV pearl Angel Hair

Eyes: Black dumbbell eyes (vary the weight of the eyes based on water depth)

Body: Root-beer Krystal Flash palmered around hook

Veil: Tan Craft fur or Gold Fish Hair

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.

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.