Skip to main content

Big Flies for (Really) Big Fish

Big Flies for (Really) Big Fish
Oliver White recommends flies that imitate red-bellied piranha or small peacock bass, tied on Owner Aki 8/0 hooks. Beth Sweeting photo

https://youtu.be/8BlOpOGeMIY

Tying arapaima flies with Oliver White and guide Shun Alvin

When I came back from Guyana and showed friends and family photos of some of the fish we caught, the first question was often, "What kind of fly do you use to catch something like that!?"

Arapaima are the largest scaled freshwater fish in the world, but when you fly fish for them, they are just like any other predator. Your strategy is to use your creativity to make a fly that imitates the prevalent food sources. In the Rupununi wetlands near Rewa, Guyana, that means flies that imitate red-bellied piranha and small peacock bass.

The method is the same as with tying any large-profile baitfish pattern. You stack the EP Fibers on the top and bottom of the hook shank to create a fly that has a large profile when viewed from the side, but it's narrow when viewed from top and bottom. This imitates the shape of many baitfish species, and is crucial to making a "large" fly you can actually cast.

The key to a good arapaima fly, says Oliver White, is the Owner Aki 8/0 hook. Getting these fish to eat the fly isn't all that difficult, but sticking that hook into something solid is. White has caught more (and probably also lost more) of these fish on a fly rod than any other person alive, and he's very particular about the hook. If you're flying halfway across the world to catch the biggest fish of your life, it's a good idea to pay attention to these small details that will make a big difference in your success.

For more info on arapaima fishing in Guyana, see my story "1 Guy with a Fly Rod" in the Oct-Dec 2017 issue of FLY FISHERMAN or watch the film by Outside TV we shot on location in March 2017. The fly-tying short you see here is an out-take from that shoot. 

liver White recommends flies that imitate red-bellied piranha or small peacock bass, tied on Owner Aki 8/0 hooks.



GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

The battle between angler and trout is one of the most exciting and nerve-rattling experiences in fly fishing. In that i...
News

Salmon Return to the Klamath River

The battle between angler and trout is one of the most exciting and nerve-rattling experiences in fly fishing. In that i...
Destinations/Species

Simms Presents - Destination: Skeena

The battle between angler and trout is one of the most exciting and nerve-rattling experiences in fly fishing. In that i...
News

Just Do It: Nike and Drake Plunge into Fly Fishing

The battle between angler and trout is one of the most exciting and nerve-rattling experiences in fly fishing. In that i...
News

Abel x Nocta Fly Reel

The battle between angler and trout is one of the most exciting and nerve-rattling experiences in fly fishing. In that i...
How-To/Techniques

G. Loomis's “Feel Connected” Episode 2: "Rolled Up"

The battle between angler and trout is one of the most exciting and nerve-rattling experiences in fly fishing. In that i...
Gear

How to Tie Chicone's Magnum Mantis Fly

The battle between angler and trout is one of the most exciting and nerve-rattling experiences in fly fishing. In that i...
How-To/Techniques

Fly Tier's Bench: How to Tie Egan's Poacher

The battle between angler and trout is one of the most exciting and nerve-rattling experiences in fly fishing. In that i...
How-To/Techniques

Small Stream Hopper Fishing

The battle between angler and trout is one of the most exciting and nerve-rattling experiences in fly fishing. In that i...
Destinations/Species

The Tightest Line

The battle between angler and trout is one of the most exciting and nerve-rattling experiences in fly fishing. In that i...
How-To/Techniques

How to Tie Craven's Mr. Jones Dry Fly

The battle between angler and trout is one of the most exciting and nerve-rattling experiences in fly fishing. In that i...
How-To/Techniques

How to Tie Craven's Mr. Jones Dry Fly

The battle between angler and trout is one of the most exciting and nerve-rattling experiences in fly fishing. In that i...
How-To/Techniques

How to Fight Trout Effectively and Get them in the Net Quickly

Fly Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Fly Fisherman App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use