SEPTEMBER FLY OF THE MONTH

The coloration of this peanut bunker pattern is based on my observations of juvenile menhaden under water. I see flashes of bluish green and copper.  To capture the deep body of the fish, the bucktail is flared by creating a bump on the shank where the bucktail is tied. The first bump is above the hook point and made by many wraps of thread in the same spot. The second bump is about 1/4" behind the hook eye and is created by several wraps of body braid in the same place. Tie in the bucktail collars against the front of the bump to flare the bucktail. Further flaring can be accomplished by adding one wrap of thread behind the bucktail.  Keep it sparse.

Bunky Fly
Bunky Fly
(4-8 inches)
HOOK
Eagle Claw 254 #3/0-4/0
THREAD
White
TAIL
Equal amounts (sparse) of chartreuse and light blue bucktail, blended under 2 pieces of copper flash under one white saddle (tied in flat) under 2 pieces of silver flash under one white saddle (tied in flat)
Ist COLLAR
White bucktail surrounding the shank, flared by a bump tied on the shank by numerous wraps of thread
BODY
Chartreuse, silver, gold or violet body braid
2nd COLLAR White bucktail on bottom and sides, flared; 2 pices of pink flashabou under pink bucktail on top, flared by a bump created by several wraps of body braid 1/4" before hook eye
THROAT Ginger marabou
WING 2 pieces of root beer crystal flash under one long narrow ginger saddle (tied in flat)
EYES Jungle cock
[ Flies & the Naturals ]