Umpqua Fly Assortment Mexico/Belize Master

Overview

Umpqua's Mexico/Belize Master Fly Assortment includes the flies you need for a trip to the flats of Belize or Mexico: 40 flies in Umpqua's slit-foam UPG Flats box.

Bonefish in Belize and on Mexico's Yucatan coast tend to run smaller and come in bigger schools, and the flats also hold permit. This box leans on small shrimp patterns like the Gotcha, Crazy Charlie and Bonefish Bitters in several colors, backed by Spawning and Mantis Shrimp and a selection of crabs for permit and larger bones.

How to Fish It

• Lead the fish: cast a few feet ahead of a cruising bonefish and let the fly sink to the bottom before the fish arrives.
• Short strips: retrieve with short, slow strips that puff sand, like a shrimp or crab trying to escape.
• Strip set: when the fish tips down on the fly or the line comes tight, set with a firm pull on the line, not by lifting the rod.
• Crabs for permit: for permit, drop a crab pattern in front of the fish and let it sink; strip only enough to stay in touch.

Choosing Color and Size

The box includes Gotcha Pearl (4); three each of Rag Head Crab Tan, Christmas Island Special Orange, Christmas Island Special Pink, Crazy Charlie Pink, Crazy Charlie Tan, Bonefish Bitters Olive, Bonefish Bitters Amber, Spawning Shrimp Olive, Spawning Shrimp Tan and Sili Legs Tan; and two each of Squimp Tan, Mantis Shrimp Tan and Alphlexo Crab Tan. Umpqua notes contents may vary with availability.