Materials Mustad 34007 hook sizes 6 to 4/0 Clear monofilament thread Softex or Zap a Gap .028 tin wire Flashabou Two contrasting colors of Superhair Red Ice or Crystal Chenille Fine white chenille Prismic eyes 5 minute epoxy

I developed this pattern to imitate a wide variety of both saltwater and freshwater baitfish. The use of synthetic materials makes this a very durable fly. The teeth of gamefish like spanish mackerel, king mackerel and the ever prevalent 2 pound bluefish are very tough on flies. If you are using bucktail and feathers you will only be able to get one or two fish on a fly before having to change to another due to the first one being destroyed. While I have not invented the tying techniques for this fly, I feel the combination of these materials tied in this manner makes this a unique fly. The important things are the profile (including the prolific use of Flashabou), the head and the eyes. With a light olive back on a size 4 hook it is a super imitation of the tiny bay anchovies that false albacore like so well. In size 2 or 1 and using a light blue or olive back this fly has been spectacular for spanish mackerel, bluefish, bonito and false albacore. In larger sizes and with a trailer hook it is a perfect choice for tough gamefish like king mackerel and amberjack. I took tarpon at night with a 3/0 version tied all in black and silver. This is my favorite pattern for casting to surface feeding, schooling fish in just about any situation in fresh or saltwater. To make the fly even more bulletproof, coat all thread wraps with Softex or Zap a Gap before proceeding to the next step.

1. Wrap the hook shank with .028 tin wire. Keep the wraps more towards the forward section of the fly to give it a jigging motion in the water.
2. Start the tail by attaching a length of the white Superhair approx the length of the hook shank at the bend of the hook.
3. Tie in the Flashabou in the color you have selected and tie it in at the tail.
4. Tie your back color of Superhair above the Flashabou in the same length.
5. Work the thread about 7/8 of the way to the hook eye.
6. Tie off your thread and coat with Softex.
7. Make the belly of the fly using the lighter colored Superhair of the colors you have selected.
8. Take a hank of the Flashabou and tie it in along each side to create a flashy side profile. I like to make this quite wide on larger patterns.
9. Take the darker colored Superhair and make the back of your fly.
10. Coat thread wraps with Softex.
11. Cut a medium length of the Superhair that is the same color as the back of your fly.
12. Tie it in at the top of the collar of your fly and leave it for now.
13. Tie in the red crystal or ice chenille and make two wraps. This will represent the gills.
14. Wrap whie chenille.around the shank of the hook in front of the gills to build a head.
15. Pull that length of Superhair you have hanging there over the head and tie it off similar to a wing case for a Montana nymph.
16. Attach your Prismic eyes.
17. At this point you may want to trim the aft end of the fly so it is not squared off.
18. Finish with half-hitches and coat head with 5 minute epoxy.