Custom Saltwater Flies

Over the past few weeks I have given you the basics on the 8 proven pattens from my latest book “Redfish Flies”.  Simply click on the link or icon above to download the 175 page pdf. of “Redfish Flies“, illustrated with ultra-hi resolution step-by-step instructions for $14.99 or head over to www.saltyflytying.com to  order your signed paperback version for $24.99.

The eight pattens outlined in Redfish Flies have been fine-tuned and rigorously tested on countless grass flats, oyster bars and mangrove shorelines.  Tying and stocking your box with this proven assortment of flies will ensure you have the ammunition need to coax even the most refined redfish, and the insight provided in the interviews of the contributing guides and tying guru’s will help you understand what factors need to be consider to create your own productive redfish flies. Read More

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The fly has remained basically the same over the years as I tie the fly. But like any good pattern, different variations have come along from other tiers. I have seen monofilament threaded through the claws to stiffen them, tailing added making it more of a slider, and many other improvements or changes for specific applications. My only change has been the addition of an orange “egg sac” of Finnish Raccoon around the tailing flash.

This is the ninth installment of  Redfish Flies. To read the rest of the interview, and for the complete step-by-step instructions for tying this redfish fly and 7 more,  download your copy of Redfish Flies at www.saltyflytying.com $14.99 or order your Signed Paperback version today ! $24.99 + Shipping.

In your opinion what makes the pattern so effective?

In my opinion the fly has remained so effective over the years is that it mimics many different crabs and other crustaceans, is easy to tie, easy to cast and fish, and it produces.

This 175 page downloadable pdf. is illustrated with ultra-hi resolution  step-by-step instructions, click the link, or icon to download your copy today.  $14.99  Or order your signed paperback version at saltyflytying.com $24.99.  Detailed instructions for tying Drew Chicone’s Kung Fu Blue Crab, Capt. Ron Ratliff’s Fiddle Sticks Crab, Capt. Daniel Andrews’s Pine Island Ice Tea, Drei Stroman’s Budagrassy Shrimp, Chris Kincaid’s Rump Shaker, Capt. Joe Costadura’s Grass Monkey, Bill Laminack’s Gulf Shrimp, and Don Reed’s Batman pattern.

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

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I chose the deer because I knew I could easily make the shape of the shell I wanted. The legs are micro chenille, which happened to be the correct thickness I was looking for, and easily shaped and colored if needed. You can use anything from bead chain to lead eyes for the situation you will face.
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I believe the shape, size, and realism makes this fly irresistible to a red fish. I have also heard reports that permit have been munching on them.

This 175 page downloadable pdf. is illustrated with ultra-hi resolution  step-by-step instructions, click the link, or icon to download your copy today.  $14.99  Or order your signed paperback version at saltyflytying.com $24.99.  Detailed instructions for tying Drew Chicone’s Kung Fu Blue Crab, Capt. Ron Ratliff’s Fiddle Sticks Crab, Capt. Daniel Andrews’s Pine Island Ice Tea, Drei Stroman’s Budagrassy Shrimp, Chris Kincaid’s Rump Shaker, Capt. Joe Costadura’s Grass Monkey, Bill Laminack’s Gulf Shrimp, and Don Reed’s Batman pattern.

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

Although there are countless species of crabs that exhibit the estuaries of the gulf coast, the one that is most recognizable and the therefore the one I most frequently try to emulate is the blue crab.  It’s vibrant splashes of orange are hard to miss in clear water, and even more difficult for a cruising redfish to pass up.

This is the second installment of  Redfish Flies. To read the rest of the interview, and for the complete step-by-step instructions for tying this redfish fly and 7 more,  download your copy of Redfish Flies at www.saltyflytying.com.

When presenting this fly to redfish, you want the fly to get down in front of the fish quickly. Once you have made your cast to the redfish, creep the fly along the bottom with ultra-slow strips. The fly should look like it barely moves. Once the fish becomes aware of the fly, don’t move it!

My Blue Crab variation of Eddie Wyatt’s Kung Fu Crab, is simply a larger and more colorful version of the classic permit pattern. This vibrant version is also tied much bulkier than the original and the legs are left longer for more movement when the fly is not being stripped.

This 175 page downloadable pdf. is illustrated with ultra-hi resolution  step-by-step instructions, click the link, or icon to download your copy today.  $14.99  Paperback version also available at saltyflytying.com.  Detailed instructions for tying Drew Chicone’s Kung Fu Blue Crab, Capt. Ron Ratliff’s Fiddle Sticks Crab, Capt. Daniel Andrews’s Pine Island Ice Tea, Drei Stroman’s Budagrassy Shrimp, Chris Kincaid’s Rump Shaker, Capt. Joe Costadura’s Grass Monkey, Bill Laminack’s Gulf Shrimp, and Don Reed’s Batman pattern.

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

  Read More

Crustaceans, shrimp, crabs, oysters, worms, pinfish, baitfish… dead or alive, it doesn’t really matter, redfish are opportunistic feeders and they eat just about everything.  So catching them on fly should be easy right?

Not for me… For years redfish were my “White Wale” on fly.  Too spooky, near misses, had ’em and lost ’em, terrible tides, you name the excuse I heard it or said it. For the vast majority of us, catching redfish on fly is just not that easy… and tying and designing flies for them, takes a little more than luck and a sharp hook.

“Redfish Flies” is loaded to the gills with ultra high resolution photography illustrating how to tie and fish some of todays best redfish patters.  Guides and guru’s from Florida to Louisiana and everywhere in between have contributed their go-to redfish bugs.  There’s no guess work here, Redfish Flies has elaborate step-by-step instructions for tying these eight proven redfish flies will walk you through the process of creating flies that work.  Insightful interviews with each patterns creator will help you understand what conditions the fly is best suited for, and how the fly should be fished.  Stunning photos from renowned photographers Pat Ford, Adrian Gray and David McCleaf will awe and inspire you to dust off your vise and get tying!

The eight pattens outlined in Redfish Flies have been fine-tuned and rigorously tested on countless grass flats, oyster bars and mangrove shorelines.  Tying and stocking your box with this proven assortment of flies will ensure you have the ammunition need to coax even the most refined redfish, and the insight provided in the interviews of the contributing guides and tying guru’s will help you understand what factors need to be consider to create your own productive redfish flies.

Step-by-step tying instructions for tying the Kung Fu Blue Crab, Fiddle Sticks Crab, Pine Island Ice Tea, Budagrassy Shrimp, Rump Shaker, Grass Monkey,Gulf Shrimp, and the Batman.  Eight proven patterns for catching redfish.  “Redfish Flies” is a 175 page downloadable pdf. illustrated with ultra-hi resolution images.

Insights from eight saltwater fly tiers, including  Drew Chicone, Capt. Ron Ratliff, Capt. Daniel Andrews, Drei Stroman, Chris Kincaid, Capt. Joe Costadura, Bill Laminack, and Don Reed.

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