Click through Photo Gallery for step-by-step tying sequence.
CREATOR: GARY MERRIMAN
The Tarpon Toad is a fly inspired by several others, combining the most attractive features of proven, traditional patterns. It’s a fairly easy pattern to tie, but there are some tips that will help you achieve a better end result.
When tying in the tail (Step 2, Photo 3), many tiers and anglers for that matter find that putting a couple of wraps beneath the marabou prevents fouling and also helps the fly swim a little better.
To get the rabbit strip to lay back properly (Step 4,Photo 5) it’s important to pull the fibers back with your left hand before making the next wrap. Even more important is to hold the fibers back as you make your next wrap. Once you tie off and trim the strip, pull all the fur back and put a small dam of thread in front of the leather skin before you tie in the yarn.
