Description

Why the El Ciálé Tailing Fish Fly Gets Eaten

The El Ciálé tailing fish fly is the pattern we refuse to leave the dock without — built for the moment a fish tips up and tails in skinny water. We tied this sand-colored version to blend into clear water under bright sun. A lightweight bead chain eye lets the fly land soft enough not to spook a tailing fish. As a result, the El Ciálé tailing fish fly gets eaten in water most flies can’t approach without spooking the fish.

Bonefish are this fly’s original target, but it doesn’t stop there. In fact, this same pattern has produced redfish, sheepshead, black drum, snook, and baby tarpon in the same skinny, tailing conditions. Therefore, if there’s one fly to carry on the flats, this is it.

One Fly. Every Tailing Fish.

Unlike specialty patterns built for a single species, the El Ciálé produces wherever fish tail in skinny water. Additionally, we tied this sand-colored version specifically for clear water and bright, sunny skies.

Premium Hardware: All-Purpose Saltwater Hook, Size 2

We tie the El Ciálé on the Umpqua XS410 NI5X, an all-purpose saltwater hook built for versatile flats work.

• Wide-Gap, Forged Strength: First, the wide-gap, forged bend handles solid hooksets on everything from bonefish to baby tarpon. As a result, it resists bending under sustained pressure.
• V-Lock Bend with Micro-Barb: Next, the V-Lock bend and micro-barb combine to hold fish securely. Therefore, it delivers reliable hookups without excessive damage.
• NI5X Corrosion-Resistant Finish: Finally, the NI5X finish stands up to the salt and sand of flats fishing. It resists corrosion trip after trip.

Built to Ride Hook-Up and Resist Fouling

We engineered the El Ciálé’s construction specifically to fish clean in skinny, grassy water.

• Mid-Shank Tail Placement: First, we tie the craft fur tail in the middle of the hook shank instead of behind it, so the material lays over the hook. As a result, it drastically reduces fouling on the cast and the strip.
• Diamond Braid Underbody: Next, diamond braid wraps the shank up to the tail, adding flash and a segmented profile.
• Palmered, Clipped Hackle: Finally, palmered barred hackle, clipped flat on the bottom, pushes water and splays out. This keeps the hook riding point-up and keeps the fly from sinking into the grass.

Built in Sand: Craft Fur, a Hot Orange Spot, and Orange Thread

We chose this color combination specifically for clear water and bright, sunny conditions.

• Sand Craft Fur Tail: First, the sand color matches a bright, sandy bottom in clear water. As a result, wary fish see a natural profile instead of a warning sign.
• Hot Orange Hot Spot: Additionally, a small hot orange spot on the tail adds just enough of a trigger point without spooking wary fish.
• Orange Thread Accent: Finally, a touch of orange thread finishes the fly with one more pop of attention-grabbing color.

Weighted to Stay Skinny: Medium Bead Chain Eyes

We kept the El Ciálé light on purpose — skinny water punishes anything that lands heavy.

• Ultra-Light Presentation: First, medium bead chain eyes keep the fly light enough to land softly in skinny, tailing-fish water.
• Rides Hook-Up: Additionally, combined with the clipped hackle, the fly consistently rides hook-point up. This is essential for fishing thin water and light grass without fouling.
• Built for Spooky Fish: Finally, a soft, quiet entry keeps you in the game with wary, tailing fish that won’t tolerate a splashy presentation.

Effortless to Cast

We designed the El Ciálé with castability in mind. The fly loads a rod efficiently and delivers with accuracy, even in tight spots.

• 6-Weight Friendly: First, it casts well on a 6 wt. fly rod. Therefore, you don’t need to overgun your setup.
• Wind-Cutting Profile: Additionally, minimal bulk means the fly cuts through coastal breezes. It punches into tight windows without wrecking your presentation.
• Accurate Delivery: Finally, the well-balanced design lands softly and settles naturally. This is critical when targeting wary fish in shallow water.

Target Species

The El Ciálé produces on nearly everything that tails or feeds in skinny water:

Flats Predators

• Bonefish — First, this tailing fish fly is a proven producer on bonefish tailing in skinny, sand-bottom water.
• Redfish — Next, it draws the same tailing strikes from redfish working shallow flats.
• Sheepshead — Additionally, it produces on sheepshead rooting for forage in the same skinny conditions.
• Black Drum — Furthermore, black drum working shallow structure and sand flats eat it just as readily.
• Snook — Also, it triggers strikes from snook holding along skinny flats and structure.
• Baby Tarpon — Finally, it draws eats from baby tarpon cruising and rolling in the same shallow water.