How to tie a Palolo Worm Fly with a Weedguard


The annual Palolo Worm Hatch in the Florida Keys is a true spectacle of Mother Nature. Thousands of tarpon collect for a gorging feast during the short time they hatch.  This little Palolo Worm Fly is one of the best ways I have learned to match the hatch.

Click here to learn a little more about the Palolo Worm




 
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RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

Tarpon fishing demands using a strong hook. I prefer a Gamakatsu SL12S size 1/0 for all of my tarpon fishing.





This Worm Pattern is tied with red rabbit strips that are clipped. I have experimented with a few other colors and had pretty good success.
Click here to buy Red Rabbit Strips





I find that I catch more fish during the worm hatch when I use a weed guard on my Palolo Worm Flies. I simply use 15 lb. or 20 lb. flouro or mono for my weed guard.









~Click on any image to enlarge~


Step By Step: How to tie a Palolo Worm Fly


Start a hook with red thread








Add a strip of rabbit for the tail








Tie in crystal chenille








Add a 20 lb. flourocarbon weedguard
and whip finish








Trim and complete
Palolo Worm Fly

RipLips.com

 

Capt Matt is a fly fishing guide during the Spring Tarpon Migration in the Lower Keys. If you would like to set up a Tarpon Fishing Charter this next spring, go to http://riplips.com/floridaguidepage.html



"How to tie a
Palolo Worm with a  Weed Guard"
by Capt Matt Thomas
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How to tie a Great Bonefish Fly


This Great Bonefish Fly works like a charm in every bonefish situation I have been in.  I have tied this fly big and small, with more or less weight, and I have experimented with a few colors. This Bonefish Pattern is very easy to tie, uses less materials than many other bonefish flies and the fish will bite it.









Watch how to tie this fly:




~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

Bonefish are strong fish.  Bonefish flies should have strong hooks.  I used a Gamakatsu SL12S size 2 for this fly.




For this pattern I used a small set of weighted eyes.  I have also found that bead chain eyes work quite well for shallow or spooky fish.




The body of this Great Bonefish Fly is tied with Marabou.  I like to use lighter colors more often than not.




I use permanent markers to make this fly look like a little shrimp. A little contrast goes a long way in the world of a bonefish.




~ Click on any image to enlarge ~

Step By Step: How to tie a Great Bonefish Fly
 

Start by slightly bending
the eye of a hook






Tie on eyes








Add a clump of marabou








Whip finish








Use a marker to color the fly








Primp and complete

Great Bonefish Fly








 Capt Matt guides for Giant Tarpon in the Lower Keys, near Key West, FL.  If you would like to fly fish for tarpon during the spring tarpon migration, go to http://riplips.com/floridaguidepage.html



"How to tie a
Great Bonefish Fly"
by Capt. Matt Thomas


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How to tie a Big Red Shark Fly


Catching sharks is some of the most exciting big fish fun an angler can have. Catching sharks with flies is a true challenge of accuracy, anticipation and a little luck. This Big Red Shark Fly is tied to imitate a tasty morsel of flesh and blood. It can be tied bigger or smaller and with different colors if needed. I find that red, white and yellow seem to work best for the sharks in the Florida Keys.

~ Click here to learn a little more about sharks ~








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Watch how to tie this fly:


RipLips.com

~Click on any image to enlarge~

 Materials List:


 Most sharks are big sharks, if you want to have the best success you will pick shark hooks that are strong with a big gap. I have also used circle hooks and had great success.
Click here to buy Shark Hooks

  
 
This Big Red Shark Fly uses red hackles for the tail.  I like to splay them out "Keys Style" so that I can control how fast my fly is sinking to meet the fish.



This Particular Shark Fly Pattern also uses a bit of silver flash.
Finally, the collar of this fly is made with red marabou.



~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step by step: How to tie a Big Red Shark Fly

Start a big strong hook








Tie in a tail with red feathers
(6-8 feathers)







(Top view of tail)








Add a bit of Flashabou








"Lock" the middle of the fly with glue








Tie in a clump of marabou
for the collar of the fly







Whip Finish, glue and complete the fly

Big Red Shark Fly

RipLips.com





Capt Matt Guides for Giant Tarpon on the Spring Migration in the Florida Keys. If you would like to book a fishing trip in the Keys, near Key West, contact Capt Matt at http://riplips.com/floridaguidepage.html



"How to tie a
Big Red Shark Fly"
by Capt. Matt Thomas





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How to tie a Chartreuse and Black Pike Fly


Esox Lucious, a Latin name that well describes one of my favorite toothy fish to catch. Big pike are incredible sport on fly, and because of the savage nature of this fish, pike flies have to be tied well. I like to use this Black and Chartreuse Pike Fly in stained or muddy water.

 (Click here and learn a little about Northern Pike)






 
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Watch how to tie this fly:


RipLips.com

Materials List:
~Click on any image to enlarge~
 
A good hook is very important when it comes to catching big pike with flies.  I prefer a hook with a large gap, but I have had success with regular streamer hooks and saltwater hooks as well.



This particular Pike Fly Pattern is tied with chartreuse grizzly hackle.  I like to use feathers from a whole rooster neck, but strung saddle hackles work also.




 The collar of this long pike fly is tied with black marabou.



~Click on any image to enlarge~

Step by Step: How to tie a Pike Fly


Start a strong hook with
a big gap.







Tie in the tail of the fly
(6-8 feathers)







Now tie in a clump of marabou
for the collar






Add another clump of marabou,
whip finish and complete the fly.

Chartreuse and Black Pike Fly






 Capt Matt Guides for Trout and Carp on the rivers near Aspen, CO.  Please go to http://www.aspenflyfishing.com  Guiding year round, the fishing is great whenever you get here!



"How to tie a
Chartreuse and Black Pike Fly"
by Capt. Matt Thomas



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How to tie a Marabou Cockroach Tarpon Fly


The Cockroach Tarpon Fly is a classic and has caught many tarpon over time. This new pattern takes the original fly, and changes it with a simple marabou collar.  This simple materials change makes this Tarpon Cockroach very fishy and quite easy to tie.






 
Watch how to tie this fly:
~Click on any image to enlarge~

Materials List:

I use a Gamakatsu SL12S size 1/0 for all of my tarpon flies.  This hook is strong and sticky.
Click here to buy Tarpon Hooks



This pattern calls for grizzly hackle. Though any feathers will do, I chose to use a bulk pack of strung hackles.
Click here to buy Feathers
I use Marabou for the collar of this fly. I suggest using light or dark brown, but any color may work if you experiment with it.
Click here to buy Marabou




~Click on any image to enlarge~


Step By Step: How to tie a Marabou Cockroach Tarpon Fly



Start a hook








Add a grizzly hackle tail








Tie in a brown clump of marabou for the collar, whip finish and complete the fly

Marabou Cockroach Tarpon Fly




 

Capt Matt guides for Giant Tarpon near Key West, FL during the Spring Tarpon Migration.  If you would like to tie into a monster fish with your fly rod, go to http://riplips.com/floridaguidepage.html



"How to tie a
Marabou Cockroach Tarpon Fly"
by Capt. Matt Thomas


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