This is the fifth installment of Essential Bonefish Patterns • Andros. The complete step-by-step instructions for tying this pattern can be downloaded here.
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.
Tranqu-Hill-izer Tying 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
About The Tranqu-Hill-izer Fly Pattern
The Tranqu-Hill-izer pattern was developed over several years and multiple trips to the Bahamas. Its funky name comes from the lodge where I stayed for several of my trips: Tranquility Hill Lodge on Andros Island. The main design feature for this pattern is visibility at great distances. I wanted to be able to present the fly farther away from pressured fish so they were not spooked by the additional weight required for the deep water. The Tranqu-Hill-izer was designed to be noticed, and is an attractor pattern through and through.
This pattern was intended to be fished in deeper water over a mottled or darker bottom. It is weighted with larger dumbbell eyes to get the fly down to the sand quickly. When stripped the added weight drags on the bottom, making a disturbance in the sand. The result is a noticeable puff or cloud of sand, which is ideal for getting the attention of a pre-occupied bonefish.
After a considerable amount of research in the Bahamas, I have come to the conclusion that bonefish flies that exhibit a fluorescent orange color seem to be the most productive for me on Andros. That’s not to say that this fly is not effective for bonefish elsewhere. But it’s definitely one of my go-to patterns on Andros. This is especially true for cruising fish in deeper water. The fly needs to get down in the water column fast and the materials need to produce a lot of movement while sitting still or simply fluttering to the bottom. The brightly colored eyes and legs help to call attention to the fly from a vast distance.
This pattern originally started out with silver bead-chain eyes and pink legs, but the bead chain was not enough weight to keep it stationary on the bottom with the tide. When I created the pattern, Hareline had not yet produced my Crusher Legs, so I chose the loudest colored legs I could find at the time. The bright yellow eyes were also purposefully chosen to make this fly stick out like a sore thumb. On closer inspection, the brightly colored legs wiggle profusely even if the fly is stationary.
The heavy layer of orange thread underneath the translucent pearl Diamond Braid glows through, giving the fly a vibrant, yet lifelike color that draws the bonefish’s attention from a distance. This technique of creating an “inner glow” was pioneered by bonefish legend Dick Brown. Many of his patterns utilize a bright layer of material enrobed in an opaque material such as dubbing. This formula works wonderfully in imitating numerous flats shrimp and crustaceans.
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.