Chicken Fly
Chicken Fly
This simply fly pattern, a cross between a Lefty’s Deceiver and a traditional Whistler, was provided to me by Belize River Lodge senior guide Pedro. On the last day of our stay at the lodge I had a chance to talk flies with him and asked him if he knew of any must-have patterns. He said that for the tarpon waters of coastal Belize this was a fly you did not want to be without. I am sure this fly would also work well at other destinations such as Tarponville in Costa Rica or the Isle of Youth in Cuba. Anywhere you are blind casting into deeper water targeting adult tarpon this fly will produce.

When tied in different sizes and using white, orange, yellow, tan or fluorescent green materials this is also a useful pattern for catching snook, small sharks, redfish, barracuda and northern pike.

Materials
Hook: Tiemco TMC 600 SP - size 3/0
Thread: UTC Ultra 140 - black
Weight: X-Large beadchain - silver
Tail: Schlappen feathers - black
Flash: Krystal flash - pearl
Body: Saddle hackle feathers - black
Adhesive: Zap-A-Gap gel and Loon Outdoors UV Clear Fly Finish - thin

Tying Instructions
Step 1. Insert the hook in the vise and attach the thread.
Step 2a. Place a drop of Zap-A-Gap gel onto the thread wraps. Place the beadchain eyes on the top of the hook about an 1/8” behind the hook eye and then figure eight wrap securely to the hook.
Step 2b. Wrap the thread back to the bend in the hook, building up a thread base as you advance.
Step 3. Match two sets of three schlappen feathers so the tips are even and all of the feathers curve inward. Tie the matched schlappen feathers in front of the hook bend making sure they extend past the bend about three hook shanks in length. Note: you do not want to strip the marabou fluff off the feathers before you tie them in.
Step 4.Tie in 10 strands of krystal flash along each side of the tail. The flash should extend about 2/3 of the length of the tail.
Step 5. Tie in two long webby saddle hackle feathers, shiny side to the front (width about 1 1/2 times the hook gap) and palmer warp them forward forming a dense feather body. Tie the feathers off right behind the beadchain eyes.
Step 6. Advance the thread in front of the beadchain eyes, build up a small thread head and whip finish.
Step 7.  Cement the head or coat with UV Clear Fly Finish - thin.

Your Chicken Fly is now complete and you are ready to head out On The Water!

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