Week 1

Rattlin’ Flash Bendback
By: Michael Uleski

            Successful redfish flies usually incorporate several common attributes; flash, movement, sound, and in some locations being weedless. The Rattlin’ Flash Bendback has all of these features which gives it a permanent spot in my fly box.

Materials:
Hook: Saltwater, standard length, Mustad 3407
Thread: 6/0 unithread
Rattle: glass rattle
Body: Estaz or crystal chenille
Under wing: Krystal Flash
Over wing: bucktail
Weedguard: loop of 40lb hard mono
Eyes: prismatic stick-on

Instructions:

Place the hook in the vise. As you can see the front 1/8” has been bent, hence the name, “bend-back”. This allows the fly to ride hook point up and also lets the wing cover the point. Bend the hook with a pair of pliers to the shaped illustrated. Tie on your thread at the bend of the hook.

At the bend, tie in a 6” length of Estaz.

Lay the rattle on the back of the shank and secure with thread. Add several drops of thin superglue to cement the rattle in place. Continue wrapping with thread until the rattle will not roll around the shank of the hook. After securing the rattle take the thread to the front of the hook.

Wrap the Estaz around the shank and rattle. With each pass smooth out the Estaz to the rear of the hook so the strands do not crush each other. Continue until the rattle is covered and the Estaz is at the front of the hook. Tie off Estaz at head of the fly. Cut off several strands of Krystal Flash that will extend just past the bend of the hook. Tie in at the head of the fly on top of the fly.

Once the Estaz and lower Krystal Flash wing have been secured cut a section of bucktail that will extend to the bend of the hook. Tie in first with several loose wraps of thread before adding tension. Wrap entire head with thread until the bucktail is secure.

If adding a weedguard cut a length of 40lb hard mono and lay one end on the far side of the fly head and secure with thread. Bend the mono over top of the fly and then secure the other end on the side of the head towards you. Secure the weedguard with hard wraps of thread until the head is covered in thread. Whip finish and cut off thread. Put a drop off superglue on either side of head and press on prismatic eyes. Coat entire head with head cement.

            Your Rattlin’ Flash Bendback is now ready to fish. Most productively it’s fished to tailing redfish with short strips to get the fishes attention. Try one and I’m sure it will also find a home in your fly box.

Tight lines all…

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