One of many, many flies that works on South Andros
Tying your own flies for bonefish on South Andros Island can really help your ego – anything reasonable works. As always, however, the best flies tend to have some things in common. Here’s why this one works.
- It’s big. That’s a #2 Tiemco 811S, and it’s maybe a bit on the small side. Big fish like big flies.
- It’s light. The problem with most big flies that are available commerically is that they’re too heavy. Our fish feed in shallow water, so they need to be fairly light. Bead chain eyes are the norm. This one’s fairly bukly so it’s weighted with small lead eyes to make it ride right – just don’t go too heavy!
- It’s got legs. Our fish love flies with legs. Rubberlegs work great – this one uses hackle tips instead, just to add a bit of class.
- It’s got a spawn sack. It might not be too realistic, but that puff of orange bunny fur helps. We don’t know why it helps, but our theory is that these fish like a spawn sack.
- It’s got contrast. The grizzly hackle tips against the white bunny fur wing help make it visible.
- It’s neither too light nor too dark. If you’re fishing a pure white sand flat, a white fly is great. If you’re fishing a bottom covered with turtle grass, a dark fly works great. Many of our flats have a combination of the two, so we like to be somewhere in the middle.
- It’s got copper flash. Here’s the story on this one – we had a few too many cocktails with a gentleman who has had a lot of success fishing on South Andros over the last 15 years. In a moment of weakness, he said “try some copper flash”. We did, and it works. Real well.
More on Gear for South Andros
It would be an idea if this fly could be purchased at South Andros. Maybe have some quality gear available to purchase as well.
Agreed Tom – we’re working on that!
I have a feeling I’m really, really going to over-think my tying in prep for heading to Andros South.
Dude, easy: Gotcha Clouser, #4 and #2 hooks (2x strong), various weights. That fly, a few crabs–I like simple to tie crabs like the Merkins but with the legs tied like the Kung Fu Crab (http://www.blackflyoutfitters.com/images/wyattsKungFuCrab.jpg)–and a few more realistic shrimpy patterns (like Vaverka’s Mantis Shrimp) and you’re good. Oh, yeah, an d like a million Gotchas, #4’s.
Ooops, looks like that link doesn’t like me. Here’s another: http://www.flyofthemonthclub.com/store/images/products/large/10336.jpg
What is the body wrapped in? Mylar tubing? Diamond braid? Thanks.
That body is just crystal flash, tied in, twisted tightly and then wrapped. I believe that’s the grey ghost color.
Thanks for stopping by!
I used to coat the bodies of my Gotcha-style flies (like this one is) with some Hard As Nails or something to increase the durability of the braid… but then I realized that Gotchas are like the easiest flies to tie, I enjoy tying for trips, and it didn’t make that much a difference–the bones still shredded it anyways.
Since then I’ve discovered this stuff from Loon Outdoors called Hard Head finish, in clear. It’s tough, dries pretty quick, is cheap, and you don’t have to mix it with anything… I might give that a shot.
WindKnot, I think its a losing battle! You can go ahead and make the body hard as can be, but the rest of the fly — tail and wings– are made of feathers or mylar and will be shredded very quickly.
I fight a losing battle with pike each year on this topic. Only thing that “really” works for me is using Kevlar thread and a substantial head cement. At least my thread holds up and that’s what keeps the lure somewhat held together. I haven’t figured out how to protect the wings, yet. anyone able to help me?
[Its a wonderful way, though, to throw some money away!]
Before you tie in the diamond braid or crystal flash, you can tie in a long piece of 30-40 lb. mono along the shank. Once the body is wrapped, bring the mono forward with tight turns, each one butted up to the last. Then douse the body with your glue. This body is nearly indestructible. There are fish mouths much tougher than Bonefish mouths. I don’t use this technique on bonefish flies because if I don’t go through a few there would be no point in tying a bunch, which I love.
There is no better fly for Andros particularly South Abdos than the Apricot Charlie. It is the only fly that the guides asked me for when I was leaving.