BENDBACK
Designed to be fished in shallow water over weed and coral for Atlantic and Pacific Tarpon, this general purpose baitfish pattern is useful in a multitude of situations. As the hook point rides upright the fly rarely snags and can be fished well in shallow water and around weeds with little fear of fowling. It is used when weighted flies are undesireable or impractical.
Materials :
Hook : Size 6 - 4/0 Mustad 34011 or Tiemco 411S. Also Mustad 34007 or Gamakatsu SS15 can be used. Bend the hook in your vice approx. 1/4 along the shank from the eye.
Eyes : Stick on or painted
Tail (Optional) : Marabou, krystal flash or similar. I like to add a tail to my bendbacks as either an enticer or a shiny belly.
Body : Chenille, braided mylar, mylar tubing.
Wing : Bucktail. Two different colours, dark over light. Several strands of krystal flash. The addition of a grizzly saddle along each side to give the impression of a backbone or stripes is optional.
This fly can be tied in an endless array of colour schemes to suit.
Good Luck.