Capt. Dexter Simmons'

Bonefish and Permit "Mantis Shrimp" Fly.

This fly has evolved into a winning pattern for Bonefish and Permit on the grass flats. The photo above shows a sparsely tied pattern, with a very simple chartreuse grizzly tail flared out and a few strands of green or orange crystal flash. The body consists of olive green sparkle braid, with a collar wing of palmered chartreuse grizzly hackle. The fly is finished with a black or yellow and black ex. small dumbell eyes and a mono weed guard. Sometimes I add some strands of Fishair (Olive 70 Denier) to the wing and extend them down from the head to the hook point. I also sometimes add some peacock herl (two strands of about 3/4 inch each) to the tail.

Tied on a #1,2,4 or 6 saltwater hook, this pattern is especially effective when Bonefish or Permit are Tailing on the grass flats. The fly is presented near the tailing fish so that the fish will see it as it sinks to the bottom. A twitching strip will induce an instinctual take.
I have even tried this fly for laid up Tarpon on the grass beds with some success on patterns tied with 1/0 hooks and no dumbell eyes.