Gotcha

Hook:
Mustad 34007, Tiemco 811S, or similar, size 2-8
Thread:
Tan or Light Pink Ultra Thread 140 Denier
Tail:
Pearlescent Mylar Tubing
Eyes:
Stainless Steel Bead Chain
Body:
Pearl Diamond Flat Braid
Wing:
Craft Fur in brown, tan, pink, or white
Flash:
Krystal Flash

The Gotcha is by far the most popular fly in the world for bonefish. It can be tied in various colors and weights to fit your situation perfectly. No trip to the flats is complete without these in your fly box!

How to tie a Gotcha Fly

Step
1
Tie in your thread and lay a thread base on the back half of the hook shank. Some tiers choose to use tan thread for this portion of the fly.
Step
2
Cut a piece of mylar tubing a couple inches long. Remove the core of the tubing. Lash the tubing down on the top of the hook shank, with the fibers extending about 3/8 inch off the back of the shank for the tail. Use a bodkin to unravel the tail.
Step
3
Tie in flat diamond braid several inches long at the tail and advance the thread forward.
Step
4
Tie a pair of bead chain or dumbell eyes in at the front of the hook, leaving enough room to form a head. Make sure you attach the eyes using diagonal wraps and finish it with a drop or two of head cement or zap-a-gap over the wraps to help secure the eyes. Note: you can use eyes of varying weights, like lead dumbells or mono eyes, to fish varying depths.
Step
5
Wrap the diamond braid forward, slightly overlapping each lap. Wrap the braid under and diagonally across the eyes, just like securing the eyes with thread. Tie down the braid in front of the eyes. If you were originally using tan thread, tie it off and switch to your light pink thread.
Step
6
Cut a clump of craft fur about the diameter of a pencil, depending on how full you want the wing. Grasp the clump by the tips of the fur and pull out the shorter fibers. Depending on the fur, you may be able to use the shorter fibers for a second fly.
Step
7
Flip your fly over in the vise and tie in the craft fur just in front of the eyes. The wing should extend just past the tail.
Step
8
Tie a few strands of Krystal flash on top of the craft fur.
Step
9
Whip finish the thread and coat the head with cement.