Del Brown’s Merkin Crab is an old standby fly that’s been around for years. You can’t beat this pattern for sight casting to permit, but don’t limit this all purpose crab fly to just this species.
Try it out any time you find fish crabbing.
Since the introduction of foam into fly tying, many tiers have been quick to take advantage of this material case in point, the Suspender Buzzer.
The Suspender Buzzer imitates a small, hatching midge and sits with only its thorax floating in the surface film.
See also: Fly Fishers' Republic - Booby
Instructions can be found on
pages 203- 204 of The Fly Tying Bible.
Materials
- Size 6-8 hook
- Marabou feathers for tail – colour of your choice, white, black, olive, etc.
- Estas Chenille – pink, green, red.
Below: Barrett's Tarpon Toad
Originally developed by Gary Merriman , the Tarpon Toad (left) has rapidly become one of THE flies for Tarpon. This version, as tied by Chris Beech, is the Australian Flyfishing Outfitters‘ go-to fly for many of the species on the flats, including Barra in and around the snags – hence the weed guard, and should be good fun on bream and flathead.
From Fly Fishers International
The Sppooky Shad is a combination of some techniques developed by Anthony Hipps and John Gulley.
“I have always wanted to have a fly that emulated the Zara Spook.
“John developed a fly called the lil spook and built it around some double sticky sided foam tape.
This is a really good fly quite at home in any puddle – be it saltwater or fresh. It’s basically a caricature of something living.
The secret is the fur over the wing as this gives the fly action even when it’s not moving.
The Foam Minnow is a realistic looking fly that appeals to both fly fisher and fish.
Recipe
- Hook: Mustad R74-9672, #6-#10
- Thread: GSP, White
- Tail: UV2 Grizzly Soft Hackle, Olive or Brown
- Underbody: 2mm Sheet Foam, White
- Overbody: Mylar Piping, Pearlescent or Pearlescent Dyed Olive
- Eyes: Stick-on eyes
Tying Note: Use permanent markers to colour and mark body to match your local baitfish or fry.
The Pheasant Tail Nymph is a fly that no trout fly fisher should be without. It can be tied with or without a bead head, with or without a flashback wingcase and with or without legs. The thorax can be peacock herl or any type of dubbing.
A great mid-size mid water fly – in sizes 1 to 6 and colours white over white, olive over white or tan and olive over shrimp.
Note these are great flies for all sorts of fishes – the white polar fibre goes fairly clear in the water and moves similar to the action of baitfish.