This simple variation of Cathy and Barry Beck’s Sili-Legs Bonefish Fly has worked especially well at fooling large fish, including bonefish, permit and redfish, in deeper water situations. Designed to mimic a large crustacean, such as a mantis shrimp, this fly sinks quickly and produces a lot of fish enticing motion. This pattern is especially effective when targeting fish feeding on the pancake or deep water flats found in Hawaii, Florida and the Bahamas.
Generally tied in larger sizes (4, 2 and 1) and using tan coloured materials with an orange “hot spot” this fly will also work well on big bonefish when tied in tan/chartreuse or brown/orange colour combinations.
Materials
Hook: Gamakatsu SL 11-3H - size 4
Thread: UTC Ultra 140 - tan
Eyes: Large silver beadchain or 5/32” tungsten dumbbell eyes
Tail: Midge flash - tan/pearl
Hot Spot: Seal fur dubbing - orange
Body: Seal fur dubbing - light ginger
Wing: Extra select craft fur - sand
Legs: Grizzly flutter legs - black barred rootbeer
Tying Instructions
Step 1.
Insert the hook in the vise. Attach the thread and wrap back to a point 0.5 cm from the eye of the hook.
Step 2.
Place a drop of super glue on the thread wraps and then figure eight wrap the beadchain or dumbbell eyes to the top of the hook (This fly rides hook point up).
Step 3.
Tie in a small bunch (10 strands) of midge flash, on top of the hook, starting at a point directly behind the eyes and wrapping the thread over the flash to a point at the bend of the hook. Trim the fibers to the length of 1.5 cm.
Step 4.
Twist some orange seal dubbing onto the thread and proceed to wrap it into a small ball covering approximately 1/3 of the hook shank.
Step 5.Twist some light ginger seal dubbing onto the thread and proceed to wrap forward covering the remaining hook shank space between the “hot spot” and the eyes with dubbing. Also, make sure to wrap a small amount of dubbing between the eyes. End with the thread at the hook eye.
Step 6.
Using a dubbing brush gently rough up the dubbed body to bring out the spikey seal fur.
Step 7.
Invert the hook in the vise (if your vise rotates, then rotate). Cut a pencil thick clump of craft fur, remove the underfur and roughly even up the long fibers. Tie the craft fur wing in in front of the eyes so that it extends back past the hook bend approximately the same length as the tail.
Step 8.
Tie in three strands of rubber legs on each side of the thread head so that the legs extend past the wing approximately 1 cm.
Step 9.
Build up a small thread head, whip finish and cement.
Your Hot Butt Rubber Legs is now complete and you are ready to head out
On The Water!