This Charlie Craven fly is the most recent pattern to be added to my “favourite fly” list. I’m a big fan of Charlie’s, the way he ties and the innovative nature of the flies he produces. When I first saw the release of his book Charlie’s Fly Box I ordered it immediately. I first started hearing success stories about the Bonefish Junk from guides and anglers fishing the flats of North and Middle Caicos. I tied up a bunch for a trip to Acklins as a test (as I have done with dozens of new hot patterns before it) and the fly quickly moved from a plastic baggie in my Fish Pond waist pack to the top row, right side of the one and only fly box I carry on the flat. That may not seem like much to you but it’s not easy making it into my fly box and to reside in the top right row is high praise indeed. After a week walking the flats of Acklins, my buddy and I spent the last day of the trip casting from the front of our host and guide, Fedel Johnson’s skiff. When it was time to start the day, I handed my box to Fedel and asked him to pick the fly I should use. With a big smile on his face he took out a size #4 Bonefish Junk and said “this is the one”. He didn’t know what it was, only that it had all the characteristics of a fly he knew bonefish loved. Like always, he was right and we fished it all day with great success. Charlie spends fourteen pages in his book describing the flies history, how to fish it and how to tie it. I can’t do better than him so that is the place to go. There are two downsides to the fly. The first is there are a lot of steps in the tying process so it takes some time to finish a trips supply and second, once your buddies see how successful it is the dozen you tied seem to mysteriously vanish. The fly looks “fishy” and imitates various species of shrimp really well. The four characteristics I like about the fly: the long slender profile, tons of wiggly legs, the mono eye balls and ORANGE colouring. Even though it is a little complicated and time-consuming I always make my mono eyes the way Charlie describes in his book. Start with 25 pound mono stalks, use five-minute epoxy and colour with fabric paint. For me the trick is to set aside one evening and make dozens of them so I only have to do it once each season. Fly Recipe Hook: #2-#6 Tiemco 811S Thread: Fire orange 140-denier Ultra Thread Weight: Stainless steel bead chain Antennae: Shrimp pink and bonefish tan Super Floss Flash: Pearl Diamond Braid, shredded Mouth: Orange egg yarn Eyes: Melted mono with painted epoxy ball Body: Perl Diamond Braid Legs: Shrimp pink and bonefish tan Super Floss Underwing: Pearl Diamond Braid, shredded Overwing: Shrimp coloured Polar Fibre Markings: Sepia and orange permanent marker For precise tying instructions you can’t beat the detailed instructions Charlie provides in his book Charlie’s Fly Box.
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