Gotcha
The Gotcha is one of the most popular bonefish patterns in the Bahamas and Caribbean. Named for the reaction you get when a bonefish sucks it in — 'Gotcha!' — it uses a sparkle or craft fur tail, pearl body, and gold bead chain eyes to imitate a small shrimp. Its simplicity and effectiveness make it a staple for any saltwater fly box. Fish it on a tight loop to sandy or muddy flats where bonefish are tailing.
- Type
- nymph (Saltwater)
- Hook sizes
- #4–8
- Target species
- saltwater
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall
Materials
- hook: Saltwater hook #4–8
- thread: Tan or pink 6/0
- eyes: Gold bead-chain eyes
- tail: Tan or pink craft fur
- body: Pearl Estaz or Crystal Chenille
- wing: Tan or pink craft fur or calf tail
Tying steps
- Mount a size 4–8 hook with bead-chain eyes tied at the 1/4 point from the eye.
- Start tan or pink thread at the bend.
- Tie in a small clump of tan or pink craft fur as a short tail.
- Wind pearl Estaz or Crystal Chenille from the tail to just behind the eyes.
- Tie in a sparse bunch of tan or pink craft fur or calf tail as the wing.
- Wrap the wing material back and tie down.
- Build a small head; whip finish and apply UV resin.
- Check the pattern rides hook-point-up by threading tippet through the eye and holding it horizontally — the bonefish eyes should remain level with the hook shank.