Umpqua Whitebait Mushy Fly

Overview

The Whitebait Mushy is a saltwater baitfish fly from David Skok, Umpqua signature tyer and creator of the Mushmouth family of flies. It imitates the small whitebait that schools along beaches, inlets and flats.

The body is a soft, translucent hair-style material with flash, finished with an epoxy head and eyes tough enough to survive hard strikes from jacks. The slim, see-through profile looks right in clear water, and it targets tarpon, snook, jacks, ladyfish and plenty of other predators that feed on small bait.

How to Fish It

• Off the beach: cast along the trough and edges where bait schools, and strip back with quick, short strips.
• Sight fishing: lead cruising snook or tarpon and swim the fly across their path, moving away from them.
• Change speed: a fast retrieve draws reaction strikes; a slow strip and pause can fool fish that follow.
• Clear water: it is at its best in clear water where fish get a good look at the bait.

Choosing Color and Size

White is the natural whitebait match for clear water and bright days. Chartreuse White adds visibility in low light or slightly colored water.

Both come in size 2, a good all-around size for snook, jacks, ladyfish and juvenile tarpon.