In this week’s “How to Tie†video feature, Martyn White Flicking Feathers ties a saltwater shrimp pattern that will ease the winter blues, the Bongo Fly.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Easy
Keeping up with the tradition of changing things up, this week’s pattern takes the mind to a warmer place than many of us are currently experiencing in the states. Cold rivers and slower fishing are the realities that winter months bring millions of anglers this time of year, but sometimes it’s nice to escape. Whether you’re planning a trip to the flats or just passing the time, spending a night on the vise is good for the mind and productive for filling your fly box. Shrimp are on the menu for nearly every flats species and the Bongo Fly is a perfect pattern to add to your selection this winter.
Luckily for novice tyers, shrimp flies are often simple to tie, and this pattern is no exception. One obstacle you may face is building a custom dubbing brush with EP fibres, but today you can buy premade brushes from the EP Website. Making sure you tie a variety of sizes and weights to ensure you’re fully prepared for any conditions is something that you’ll thank yourself later for. The Bongo Fly won’t give you much grief on either the vise or the water, making it a fantastic pattern in all situations.
Taking a trip to warmer locations is definitely not always attainable. That being said, DIY options and booking with a group can save costs and make for memories that last a lifetime. Don’t be afraid to get out there and explore, especially when it comes to saltwater. The flats are an experience every angler should get to enjoy, and the Bongo Fly will be a tool to make your odds of landing that fish of the year even higher.
Ingredients:
- Hook: Owner Flyliner 4-1/0
- Thread: Danville’s Flat Waxed Nylon
- Weight: Brass or lead dumbells
- Antenna: Crystal Flash
- Legs: Sillilegs
- Wing: Finn raccoon
- Body: EP fibres spun in a dubbing loop
Now you know how to tie the Bongo Fly!
Video and ingredients courtesy of Martyn White Flicking Feathers.
