Bendback Fly

By Chico Hernandez, Miami, Florida 1970s, submitted by Mike Cline.

Description

The Bendback is actually a fly style rather than a specific pattern. Created by Cuban angler Chico Hernandez of Miami, Florida in the 1970s to tackle snook, tarpon, redfish and other species from the mangrove backwaters of South Florida. The style is tied on a hook shape that keeps the hook point up and the fly materials acting to some extent as a weed guard. The style usually replicates a baitfish or shrimp and is routinely fished into and around heavy cover commonly found along mangrove shorelines. Although Tiemco used to offer a bendback hook model, the two most prominent hooks on the market are the Umpqua BN5X (hook #2) and Ahrex SA 258 (hook #1). However, just about any decent saltwater or freshwater streamer hook can be bent into the bendback profile. (FH 802P hook #3) Photo #1 shows the original configuration of Hernandez's bendback--chenille body, bucktail wing over flash.

Tying Process

Material and color combinations for the bendback style are essentially limitless and should be tailored to the species and environment being targeted.

Materials

• Body: Chenille
• Wing: Bucktail over flash

Hooks

• Firehole 802P #1

Fly types: Bass/Warmwater, Saltwater