Black Death Tarpon Pattern [Archive]

lemaymiami

03-01-2006, 07:22 AM

That "pattern" meant something years ago but it's become more of a color combination that's tied on a number of different patterns. The basic Black Death was a Keys style tarpon fly with a black tail and a bright red collar and thread. It's a great color combination at dawn and when fishing murky water. Here's how I tie it for my Big Eye series:

Hook: 1/0 to 4/0 Owner Aki, Tiemco 600Sp, or other strong hook

Spreader: Black calf tail wrapped around the hook just forward of the bend
and kept short, no longer than 3/4", with butt not tapered, left
square as a shoulder for head to be tied at the end.

Tail: 3 large wide neck hackles on a side, mated with curve side
outward and tied in on the sides of the hook, not on top.

Flash: a few strands of pearl Flashabou accent tied in on top of the tail

Collar: 3 wide, webby large bright red saddles tied in as a unit with as
much fluff left on as possible tied in at the butts with curve side
facing inward, then palmered into a dense collar ending about 1/2"
from the hook eye.

Thread: Flat waxed nylon, Fl. red (#501), Danville's

Head: formed with built up thread, short, large, ending at least 1/4" from
the hook eye, then super glued on each side

Eyes: Painted on each side of the thread after the glue dries.

Finish: Flexcoat (20 min. epoxy will substitute)

I have a new tarpon fly that Umpqua Feather Merchants has picked up that will go on sale worldwide next year in five colors, one of them is the classic black death. It's called the "Swamp Rabbit" and will be the first one of my patterns with wire weedguard that they'll be producing. I should have an article out about it in the coming year.