In my upcoming book Do It Yourself Bonefishing the section on flies focuses on what flies I carry, my favourite ones, how to pick a fly and a few tricks I have learned along the way to make each pattern a little more productive. Over the next two weeks I’m producing a series of Blogs on my top six flies, how to tie them, when and how to use them and a few anecdotal stories. But as a starting point let me tell you about my fly box. The DIY walk and wade anglers box differs in several ways from the box (s) you take on the boat when fishing with a guide. First, on the boat there is no concern about weight or the number of boxes and second you tend to fish different waters. Of the 90 or so days I spend bonefishing each year, 7 – 20 are from the front of a guided boat. On those days, I simply fill up my boat bag with boxes and ask the guide which fly to use, thus ending the selection process. You’re not limited to the number of flies to bring (which number in the 100′s) and I’m fishing the guides home waters so whatever he says goes. You’re usually in deeper water requiring heavier and larger flies with lots of legs and flash. Wading shoreline flats or creek systems is typically a more intimate affair, with lighter flies, smaller in size and tied with less flash. Though I have tied for over forty years and have literally thousands of bonefish flies, the number I carry continues to decrease. Some of it is out of necessity (the weight and room they take up in my hip pack) and some of it is the realization that I have my favourites and almost always stick to them. My Fly Box I now carry one fly box that holds 58 flies. I bring 100’s with me on the trip and adjust my box daily based on lost flies, local information or lack of success on the previous day. Not included in the box but in a small plastic bag are two permit patterns, two large heavy Clousers for deep holes and two poppers on a wire leader for barracuda. My box looks like this: The first row holds weightless flies, size #6 to #10, a few with weed guards. Row two is a mixture of Crazy Charlies in different sizes, weights and colors. Row three is a variety of Gotcha’s, including a few with weed guards. Row four are small-sized Charlies and Gotchas. Row five are Bonefish Junk, Peterson Spawning Shrimp and Orange Butt Bunny. Row six are Sliders and Greg’s Flats Fly. Row seven are Veverka’s Mantis Shrimp, Bonefish Tailer and Clousers. Row eight are Turneffe Crabs, Pop’s Bitters and Raghead Crabs. My Top Six Flies Greg’s Flats Fly Orange Butt Rabbit Rubber legged Gotcha Bonefish Junk Tan and white Bonefish Clouser Pops Bonefish Bitter
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