The original Cayo Coco Loco fly was designed by the late Gord Kennedy to tempt the bonefish, or “Flats Rats” as he endearingly referred to them, that he chased in Cuba. Constructed using only three basic materials, the supple rabbit fur, krystal flash and barred rubber legs really give this fly life.

However, like most fly tiers I just could not leave well enough alone and had to make some minor modifications to the Cayo Coco Locos going into my fly boxes. I have added silicon buggy nymph legs (two per side) as the old-style rubber legs tend to degrade over time and do not move as well. I have also substituted bonefish tan krystal flash for a subtle sparkle and a ginger barred brown rabbit strip wing to provide the fly with shrimp-like camouflage. Another optional addition is to tie in a single prong 20lb hard mono snag-guard to keep the fly from getting hung up on turtle grass or coral rubble. I call this particular variation the Coco Loco SE.

Whether you tie the original or choose my Coco Loco SE variation, this simple pattern lands lightly, sinks fast and can be tied in a variety of natural colours to match the bonefish’s prey. Try tan or light pink for marl and reef flats and light  brown or olive for turtle grass environments. Use beadchain eyes for a light, shallow water fly or use dumbbell eyes for a fast sinking option.

Tie it in smaller sizes (8 and 6) for Belizean, Mexican and Honduran bonefish and in larger sizes (4 and 2) for big Bahamian and Cuban bonefish.

Gord’s original Cayo Coco Loco

Original Cayo Coco Loco
Materials
Hook: Mustad 34007 - size 2-8
Thread: Uni-thread 6/0 - tan or pink
Eyes: Beadchain or dumbbell eyes
Wing: Rabbit strip - assorted colours
Flash: Krystal flash - pearl or orange
Legs: Barred round rubber legs (three), medium –  assorted colours
Adhesive: Head cement

To tie the original Cayo Coco Loco follow the instructions below for the Coco Loco SE but substitute in the original Cayo Coco Loco materials.

Cayo Coco Loco Variant: Coco Loco SE

Coco Loco SE
Materials
Hook: Tiemco TMC 811S - size 6
Thread: UTC Ultra 140 - tan or fluorescent shell pink
Eyes: Dazl-Eyes, 1/8” - gold or beadchain, medium – black
Wing: Rabbit strip - brown barred ginger
Flash: Krystal flash -  bonefish tan
Legs: Buggy nymph legs – golden
Snag-guard: Single prong of 20 lb Mason hard mono
Adhesive: Zap-A-Gap brush-on and Premium head cement (available at Pieroway Rod Company)

Tying Instructions

Step 2a. Place a drop of Zap-A-Gap on the thread wraps and then figure eight wrap the beadchain or Dazl-Eyes to the top of the hook (This fly rides hook point up).

Step 4a. Remove the hook from the vice and impale the rabbit strip approximately one hook eye length from the pointed end. Pull the rabbit strip down until it is at the bend of the hook. Flip and reinsert the hook in the vice making sure that the rabbit strip is now lying parallel to the hook shank on the side opposite the weighted eyes with the fur covering the bend/point.

Step 7. Build up a thread head, tie in the snag-guard if desired, whip finish and cover with premium head cement.

Your Coco Loco SE is now complete and you are ready to head out On The Water!