Nasty Needle

Hook:  2/0 - 4/0 Tiemco 911S or other strong, long-shank hook

Thread:  clear mono, fine

Throat:  pearl-red Krystal Flash, staggered

Wing:  Orange Super Hair, over which is copper MEGA MUSHY flash, over which is another longer bunch of orange Super Hair (all tapered)

Eyes:  size 3EY prismatic eyes, covered with 5-minute epoxy

Note:  other good color combos are:  1) chartreuse Super Hair with gold MEGA MUSHY flash and 2) seafoam green Super Hair with silver MEGA MUSHY flash

The Nasty Needle is a simple fly that is basically a bendback without the bend.  The bent shank of a bendback hook is not necessary to invert the fly as the entire wing is tied on the hook point side of the shank.  A parachute effect is created by tying all the materials on one side of the shank, forcing the fly to swim inverted.  There is another bonus to tying in this style as the wing is not very likely to foul or become tangled when tied in this fashion.

I've taken lots of small 'cudas with this pattern, but it rarely fools the Florida Keys jumbo models.  You're much better off throwing a Mega Mushy styled like a mullet or small bonefish at those fish.  The Nasty Needle has, however, taken some big barracuda in the Bahamas and elsewhere.  It also make a great fly for jacks, sharks and toothy bluefish.

1) Attach clear thread one hook eye-length back from the hook eye.

2) Tie in a tapered bunch of pearl-red Krystal Flash 2 eye-lengths back from the hook eye on the hook point side of the shank.  The flash throat should barely extend past the hook bend.

3) Tie in a tapered bunch of orange Super Hair 2 eye-lengths back from the hook eye on the hook point side of the shank.  The Super Hair should be about twice the length of the hook.

4) Tie in a tapered bunch of copper MEGA MUSHY flash on top of the Super Hair.  You can make the flash as long as you'd like, but I advise against making the fly longer than 8" as to reduce tangling.

5) Tie in another tapered bunch of orange Super Hair on top of the copper flash.  The Super Hair should be about 3X the length of the hook.

6) Attach size 3EY prismatic eyes to each side of the head with one turn of clear thread on each eye.  Whip finish ahead of the prismatic eyes.

7) Mix some 5-minute epoxy and cover the entire head area.  Book a one-way flight to Los Roques and go have yourself some fun!

Printable Version

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