{{+1}}Chatto’s flats minnow{{-1}}
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This is a fly that I developed specifically for sight fishing on the flats to the likes of bream, flathead, bonefish and permit. It's a very fishy looking fly and has a little blood spot that adds to the appearance of the fly being a wounded fish.
It sinks quickly and because of the relatively heavy dumbbell eyes and the wing that is well above the fly's centre of gravity it always swims hook point up so you can comfortably retrieve it over rough patches with a minimum chance of snags. It does snag up occasionally but that is a small price to pay for being able to fish where the fish are feeding.
You can use this fly to prospect for fish but my preference is to use it for sight fishing to fish feeding on the flats. Lead the fish with the minimum distance that's not spooking fish on the day and as they come into range start your retrieve. Smaller fish seem to like a slow retrieve with stops whereas larger fish relish a fly that is just creeping along the bottom.
Line selection will depend on water depth and currents but generally my preference is a clear sink tip such as a Rio Tropical which has a floating running line and a clear tip or a straight intermediate line.
Materials
Hook | Thread | Eyes | Blood spot | Belly | Flash | Back |
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My preference is Mustard 34007 Stainless steel but other similar shaped hooks are good alternatives. | You will need a strong thread and I recommend "Uni big fly" thread. | Painted lead dumbbell eyes in Pearl with black pupil. | FNF chenille strands or similar. | White buck tail. | Tiewell krystalflash in pearl or equivalent. | Buck tail in your choice of colours. |
Process
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