Shad Crazy Charlie

Other

Tied By Darrell Olson

Hook: Mustad 3366, Size 6

Thread: 6/0, Orange

Materials-

eyes: 5/32 Dumbbell Eyes

body flash: Orange Sparkle Flash

body: Medium Vinyl Rib

wing: Kip/Calf Tail, Orange

Notes:

Shad Crazy Charlie

The Nasty Charlie was developed by Charlie Smith around 1977 for fishing for bonefish on the Andros Island. The fly imitates a glass minnow which is common forage for bonefish on the flats. Bob Nauheim, founder of Fishing International, a global sport fishing travel agency returned to California with the fly. Another story credits the fly creator as Bob Nauheim, who frequently fish with Charlie Smith at Charlie’s Haven resort on Behring Point, Andros Island. At which Charlie Smith when he studied the fly said to Bob Nauheim, “dat fly is nasty mon”.

Nauheim took the pattern home to Santa Rosa and showed them to Leigh Perkins, the owner of Orvis outfitters. Perkins liked the pattern and added it to the Orvis catalog and began popularizing it for bonefish and permit. Perkins did not like the name “Nasty Charlie” so the name was changed to Crazy Charlie with Charlie Smith’s permission. The pattern rapidly became one of the most popular flies for bonefish, permit and other saltwater flats species as well.

So in the fly that I’m tying is for either the American or Hickory Shad. Try tying them in the popular colors for the shad run in your area.

Be sure to try other colors like Chartreuse, Pink, or White.

 

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