It’s bonefish season. In many parts of the world, winter is setting in. Because it can drag on for too long, many of us head south in search of warm, sandy saltwater flats and bonefish. If you have a trip planned this year, we want to make sure you don’t go unprepared. Newly revamped last year, we have a loaded selection of bonefish flies, and we’ll walk you through some of our favorites.
Photo: Joe Klementovich
Vlahos Bahama Shrimp
Nick Vlahos of Sandbar Flies gave us this little gem for tropics fisheries. Lightly weighted for fishing shallow flats, this pattern is sure to be a go-to for the flats angler. This fly is offered in tan, pink and olive. It’s tied on a Gamakatsu SL11.
Mitchell’s Itchy and Scratchy
When we talked to Signature Tyer Mike Mitchell about this pattern, he had some great information to share about its history. He said: “the development of Itchy and Scratchy started as a carp fly around 2010. Having an addiction to saltwater flats fishing, something not available in Idaho, the closest parallel I could find was carp fishing. Here we have several reservoirs on and around the Snake River that hold carp. You will find flats at these locations where you can sight fish for tailing carp. The pattern was working well for carp. ‘If Itchy is working well for carp, why not bonefish?’ I asked myself.”
“2012 was the first year that I had taken Itchy and Scratchy to Belize and the results were fantastic. The bonefish loved it. In 2014 the Tan Itchy and Scratchy had hooked its first Permit. Testing was going really well! My guide, Abbie Marin, asked for all my leftover flies before leaving Belize. That was the moment when I realized Itchy and Scratchy was a great pattern. When a renowned guide like Abbie Marin wants your fly box that means something. He has seen and used so many patterns and he wants my flies. WHAT?!”
Needless to say, this pattern has become a staple for many bonefish and permit anglers. It’s a crittery/shrimp pattern that one can “swim” or “crawl”. It comes in two different weight options per color option, and 3 color options. Permit, bonefish, triggers, and many other species have fell victim to this fantastic pattern around the globe. This is a “must have” in your fly box!
White’s The Other
Signature Tyer Martyn White tied this pattern to target picky bonefish, and other flats fish. Tied as a generalist pattern, White says it “imitates anything and nothing. It’s small, buggy and very edible. This suggestive bug is an absolute killer in skinny water for fussy bonefish, sweet lips and others.” While there are situations in which an extremely accurate, imitative pattern will work well, there are many situations where a fly that can be interpreted as a little bit of everything will be your best bet. When you don’t know what mood the fish are in, or what they’re eating, this is simple, non-intrusive, and looks like any manner of things they may be interested in. It’s one of those patterns that’s a go-to confidence fly when targeting fish in new water especially.
Crazy Charlie
The Crazy Charlie has been around since the 70s—and for good reason. It’s possibly the best known of all Bonefish flies. We offer them in 3 different shades of tan, 2 shades of pink and white, which will allow you to dial in the closest match to the substrate you’re fishing on.
Peterson’s Spawning Shrimp
The Peterson’s Spawning Shrimp is known for producing quality and quantity time and time again. This is a staple shrimp pattern that needs to be in every salt angler’s collection of bonefish flies.
Photo: Kyle Reed.
Squimp
The Squimp has become a flats standard from the Yucatan to the Seychelles. Wherever there’s a shrimp eating fish the Squimp plays exceptionally well and is great to have in your rotation if any of the more well-known patterns aren’t making it happen. The size 2 is on a Gamakatsu SL12 while the 4 & 6 are on a SL11.
Koga’s Bonefish Shrimp Pearl
Another shrimp pattern, Koga’s Bonefish Shrimp was developed during many years chasing bonefish on the flats. The result of extensive R&D, this is now a proven fly for bonefish around the world.
Flexo Crabs
The Flexo Crab is probably one of the best crab patterns out there. No matter the situation, this just seems to be the code cracker. As a result, last year we revised our Flexo’s. Now, they are equipped with properly weighted tungsten dumbbells, using a few different hook varieties, in several sizes, and in four colors. With this range of options, you’ll have plenty to choose from.
Photo: Joe Klementovich
Alphone Crab
This is one of the best impressionistic crab patterns we’ve seen. It’s durable, looks ultra realistic and has become a strong favorite in the boxes of anglers all around the world. When you creep it along the bottom it has just the right amount of movement to look like a real crab.
Sand Flea
If you’re targeting Pomano, Permit or Bones, this is one you shouldn’t be without. When fish key in on sand fleas, having a realistic imitation can make all the difference.
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