Umpqua Christmas Island Special Fly

Overview

Randall Kaufmann designed the Christmas Island Special for Christmas Island bonefish when that fishery was just opening up. It is still considered a must-have there, and guides in Belize and many other destinations now rely on it too.

The pattern suggests a small shrimp moving along the bottom, the kind of food bonefish hunt all day on bright sand flats. It has stayed in use for decades because it keeps catching fish wherever bonefish feed on small crustaceans.

How to Fish It

• Lead the fish: cast 3 to 6 feet ahead of a cruising bonefish and let it settle.
• Short strips: use 4 to 8 inch strips with pauses, and keep stripping when the fish follows.
• Strip-set: when the fish tips down, set with a strip, not a rod lift.
• Leader: 9 to 12 feet, 10 to 12 lb fluorocarbon tippet.

Choosing Color and Size

Pearl is subtle and natural over light sand. Pink is a classic bonefish color that suggests shrimp and is easy to see.

Size 8 is a smaller size that lands softly in skinny water and matches small shrimp.