INSIDE THE ULTIMATE FLY BOX
are tough, it’s time to dig out one of the tippet and lengthen the leader— gets tougher and tougher. Fish that will
two or three “go-to” patterns most people changes that often help. take a properly tied pattern when
have kicking around in the backs of LeMay: One of the toughest things they’re comfortable and on the feed get
their fly boxes. It usually is not the about tying flies for tarpon has to do harder and harder to find every year.
whole solution, but it is a quick “feel with how difficult tarpon fishing can be That means that fish rejecting a fly
good.” If it puts you in a better mood, in areas where the water is clear and might not reveal much about whether
you’ll fish better. And as long as you’re the fish are heavily pressured. Every a new pattern (or an old favorite) is not
changing flies, scale down the shock year tarpon fishing along the oceanside working. None of that is a problem
Only the finest-quality stout heavy-gauge wire
hooks should be used in constructing tarpon flies.
Angel Hair comes in many colors—used
Most models come ready-to-use—be careful
for wing filler and accent on some patterns.
because they’re exceptionally sharp—and
resistant to salt water.
Strung saddle hackles are
Craft fur is a widely available synthetic
inexpensive and multi-colored.
fiber used to make tails in some tarpon-
Dyed over white or barred
fly patterns.
feathers, saddles are ideal
for accent colors.
Hackles from Chinese
rooster necks are
generally wide. They
are used in traditional
splayed-wing tarpon
flies. They are
available in many
colors and
variations.
Rabbit fur cut into strips is
used for tails on some styles of Strung schlappen—these big, Flashabou in its many colors,
tarpon flies. Comes in soft, webby feathers come in many widths and versions should be
natural and dyed many colors. colors and make excellent collars. used sparsely in tarpon flies as
Great action in the water. added attraction.
SUMMER 2002 73
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