Flies

CRAZY  CHARLEY

Origin

This well known salt water fly was developed by Bob Nauheim,  the owner of a Northern California fishing travel firm. Bob conceived this fly while fishing for bonefish at Andros Island with Charley Smith a local guide. It was originally called Nasty Charley by Charley smith, but later named Crazy Charley by a commercial fly fishing firm.  Over the years many tiers have created many variations in colors, by adding Flashabou, and by using different wing materials. 

Pattern

  • Hook     --  saltwater type,  sizes 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8
  • Thread   --  white Monocord  size 3/0
  • Eyes       --  1/8 “ silver bead chain or lead eyes
  • Tail        --  ten to twelve strands of silver tinsel, Crystal Flash or Flashabou
  • Body      --  silver mylar or Flashabou and clear monofilament 9 or clear
    Larva Lace )
  • Wing      --  four to six white saddle hackle tips ( some tiers now substitute
    calf hair )
  • Head      --  white thread

Tying Instructions:

  • Wrap on a thread base on the hook and cement in place
  • Tie on the bead eyes on top of the hook, with the hook eye down, about ¼” behind the eye using figure eight wraps
  • Attach the tail material making the tail about the length of the body
  • Tie on the mylar or Flashabou and wrap the hook shank from behind the eyes to about the bend of the hook
  • Tie on the clear monofilament at the bend of the hook and wrap forward and terminate behind the bead eyes,  this makes the body of the fly
  • Invert the hook and tie on the hackle feather wings behind the bead eyes and
  • angle up to cover the hook
  • Wrap the thread forward to make the head in front of the bead eyes
  • Whip finish and cement the thread

Flies  Imitated:  This fly imitates just about every species of shrimp and even some crabs

How to fish:  Strip the fly several times until you think a fish sees it, let it sink and then watch for the take and – then be ready for the time of your life when that bonefish makes the first run.

Gary Kutz, Golden State Flycasters, January 2006