Gotcha
Description
The Gotcha is Jim McVay's classic bonefish pattern, a sparse flats fly that suggests a shrimp, small baitfish, or fleeing bit of bottom forage. Bead-chain eyes make it ride hook point up, and the pearl body with tan wing shows well over sand, marl, and turtle grass. It is a good beginner saltwater tie because the proportions are simple, but the eyes and sparse wing still teach useful flats-fly control.
Materials
- flash: Pearl Krystal Flash
- body: Pearl Mylar
- eyes: Small Silver Bead Chain Eyes
- hook: Stainless Saltwater Hook
- wing: Tan Craft Fur
- thread: White, 6/0 Thread
Tying Instructions
- 1.
Secure the hook in the vise and start the white thread just behind the eye.
- 2.
Lay a smooth thread base rearward to the bend and return the thread to one eye length behind the hook eye.
- 3.
Tie the bead-chain eyes on top of the shank with firm figure-eight wraps.
- 4.
Wrap under the eyes to tighten them, then take the thread back to the bend.
- 5.
Tie in the Pearl Mylar at the bend and secure it along the near side of the shank.
- 6.
Wrap the Pearl Mylar forward in touching turns to the bead-chain eyes and tie it off.
- 7.
Select a sparse clump of tan craft fur and remove the short underfur.
- 8.
Tie in the craft fur behind the eyes with the tips extending about one hook length beyond the bend.
- 9.
Tie in two to four strands of Pearl Krystal Flash over the craft fur wing and trim them even with the wing tips.
- 10.
Build a small thread head in front of the wing and behind the hook eye.
- 11.
Whip finish and apply head cement to the thread wraps and bead-chain eyes.