The Squid Fly is an incredibly versatile pattern that can be used to target a variety of saltwater fish species. Its effectiveness lies in its adaptable profile. For larger predators like Giant Trevally (GT), tying a bigger squid on a 6/0 or 4/0 Gamakatsu SL12S hook is ideal. Conversely, for smaller species like Spotted Grunter, a smaller squid tied on a size 6 Gamakatsu B10S hook works perfectly.
This fly can be fished at varying speeds, with fast or slow strips depending on the species you’re targeting and their feeding behaviour.
To fish the fly deeper in the water column, you can add a dumbbell weight to the spine / link before securing the Flexi-Body tubing, ensuring it sinks effectively for deeper presentations.
Material used:
- Hook – Gamakatsu SL12S size 2
- Shank / spine / link
- Stick-on eyes
- Flexi body tubing (Transparent)
- Mylar tubing
- Ostrich Plumage
- Egyptian Geese feather
- Micro rubber legs
- UV Glue
- Super Glue
Step 1:
Place the hook on your vice and tie on some thread.
Step 2:
Tie in 2 rubber legs on both sides. These are going to be the longest part of the fly. I chose tan colour for this fly.
Step 3:
Repeat step 2 but make these rubber legs slightly shorter than step 2. I chose transparent colour for this step.
Step 4:
Repeat step 2 but make these rubber legs the same length as step 3 and add in two legs on each side. I chose a shrimp pink colour for this step.
Step 5:
Add in three Ostrich plumage feathers on each side, almost surrounding the entire hook.
Step 6:
Tie in some of the Egyptian geese feather or any barred feather around the hook and tie off your thread.
Step 7:
Super glue the eyes on both sides of the fly.
Step 8:
Fill in the gaps between the eyes with UV resin and cure with a UV torch.
Step 9:
Put the shank through the eye of your hook. I like to use a shank slightly longer than the hook as I think it makes the fly look more like a squid.
Step 10:
Secure the shank in your vice and wrap thread around it.
Step 11:
Put the mylar tubing over the shank and tie it in at the bottom and at the top.
Step 12:
Tie in the flexi body tubing at the base of the shank.
Step 13:
Push the flexi tubing back over the fly to find the spot where to cut it off.
Step 14:
Tie the flexi tubing to the shank then tie off your thread and secure it with super glue.
Your fly is now complete. You can manipulate the flexi tubing with your fingers to get your desired shape.
