How to Tie Saltwater Flies

Catching a tarpon on a fly rod is one of the most exciting saltwater fishing experiences available. Tarpon are big, fast fish that frequently makes spectacular leaps when hooked. The Coachroach Tarpon fly pattern is an effective tarpon fly in almost any situation. The fact that it is relatively easy to tie makes it a particularly good choice for saltwater anglers learning to tie their own flies.

Things You'll Need

  • Vise
  • Bobbin
  • Hook (Sizes 4/0 - 1/0)
  • Black thread
  • Grizzly hackle feathers (6)
  • Bucktail fibers
  • Epoxy
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clamp the jaws of the vise around the hook bend in a manner that leaves the hook shaft and hook point exposed.

    • 2

      Use the bobbin to fasten the thread to the hook by wrapping the thread around the midpoint of the hook shaft (and over the previous thread wrappings) 4 the 8 times.

    • 3

      Strip the last half inch of feather fibers from the base of each grizzly hackle feather.

    • 4

      Tie three grizzly hackle feathers to one side of the hook shaft by placing the feathers with concave side facing inward next to the hook and wrapping the thread around the bare portion of the feathers 5 to 10 times. Trim away any excess bare quill and return the thread and bobbin to a point just in front of the hackle feathers.

    • 5

      Tie the remaining three grizzly hackle feathers to the other side of the hook shaft in the same manner.

    • 6

      Place a pinch of bucktail fibers against the hook shaft with the fibers arrayed around the the wire of the hook and the tips of the fibers extending past the hook bend. Gently wrap the thread around the fibers 5 to 10 times to secure them. Trim away any excess fibers.

    • 7

      Advance the thread forward, wrapping it evenly over the hook shaft from the point where the bucktail fibers are attached up to a point just behind the eye of the hook. Tie off the thread with a whip finish knot (or 2 to 4 half-hitches), then cut the thread.

    • 8

      Apply a coat of epoxy over the thread wrappings created in Step 7. Allow the epoxy to dry completely before using.