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Deneki Outdoors

Alaska | The Bahamas | Chile

Bonefish Squimp – Tying Instructions

How to tie the bonefish squimp fly pattern
Get squimpy. Photos: Kyle Shea.

It’s been a while since our latest fly tying step by step, and today we right that wrong with tying instructions for the Squimp – A versatile shrimp pattern effective wherever bonefish are found.

One thing we think sets the Squimp apart from many other bonefish flies is its superior movement when stripped. Aside from multiple rubber legs directed toward the back of the fly (ahem, something that our bonefish on South Andros really appreciate), two forward protruding legs fight the current on each strip, giving the fly a ‘flutter’ as its pulled through the water.

We think its a simple, yet super clever, fly pattern that works well on our bonefish population, so today we’re going to show you how to tie it.

Materials:

  • Hook: Tiemco 811s – sz. 2-6
  • Thread: Ultra Thread UTC 140 – Cream
  • Eyes: Large Bead Chain Eyes – Silver
  • Tail: Tan Craft Fur
  • Body: Tan Ultra Chenille
  • Wing: Tan Craft Fur
  • Flash: Pearl Krystal Flash
  • Legs: Pumpkin Sili Legs
How to tie the bonefish squimp fly pattern
Step 1: Catch in a small clump of craft fur roughly the length of the shank of the hook. Sparser is better on the squimp. A little goes a long way!
How to tie the bonefish squimp fly pattern
Step 2: Double over a strand of Sili Legs on each side of the tail so each leg extends slightly longer than the tail. This should leave two legs on each side for a total of four legs overall.
How to tie the bonefish squimp fly pattern
Step 3: Catch in a strand of copper wire, followed by a length of tan Ultra Chenille, and advance the thread one-third of the way down the shank of the hook.
How to tie the bonefish squimp fly pattern
Step 4: Lock in bead chain (or lead) eyes at the one-third point using figure eight wraps of thread.
How to tie the bonefish squimp fly pattern
Step 5: Wrap the Ultra Chenille forward for the body using two wraps in front of the eyes, followed two criss-crossing wraps over the eyes, and finally over the shank of the hook just shy of the eye of the hook.
How to tie the bonefish squimp fly pattern
Step 6: Follow the same wraps with the copper wire and tie off. This will add some flash and durability to the fly.
How to tie the bonefish squimp fly pattern
Step 7: Turn the fly over in the vise and add a small clump of craft fur, followed by a few strands of Krystal Flash, roughly two times the length of the shank of the hook.
How to tie the bonefish squimp fly pattern
Step 8: One one side of the wing, tie in a length of Sili Leg that extends roughly the length of the wing towards the back of the fly, and extends roughly one-third the length of the shank towards the front of the fly. Repeat on the other side of the wing.
How to tie the bonefish squimp fly pattern
Step 9: If done correctly, the legs should appear to form an ‘x’ pattern when viewed from above.
How to tie the bonefish squimp fly pattern
Step 10: Whip finish over rubber legs and cement.

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Comments

  1. I tie this with a dubbed body and use Arctic Fox for the tail and wing, my go to fly.

  2. Good call Willi! Hard to beat the movement of Arctic fox. Thanks for sharing!

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