Description
Fly Type: This is a subsurface crab/shrimp imitation and attractor fly. The name "Bitter Chartreuse" refers to its Chartreuse color, a powerful visual trigger, and is a variant of the popular Bonefish Bitters fly pattern.
Best Suited For: An excellent fly for targeting a variety of saltwater species that feed on small crustaceans. It is a go-to pattern for bonefish, permit, and other aggressive coastal predators.
Best Time to Fish: This fly is effective year-round in tropical climates. The bright chartreuse color is particularly productive in murky or off-color water and during low-light conditions when its high visibility is a key advantage.
Water Type: A classic saltwater fly, designed for tropical environments.
Best Location: The Bitter Chartreuse is most effective when fished on sandy flats and in shallow lagoons where its color provides a strong contrast against the bottom.
Other Value: The key to this fly's success is its combination of a lifelike profile and a striking color. The fly is typically tied with bead chain or small dumbbell eyes to get it to the bottom, where it can be retrieved to mimic a scuttling crab. The chartreuse color is a powerful visual trigger that often provokes a strike from aggressive fish, even if they are not actively feeding. The best way to fish it is with a slow, short retrieve and frequent pauses to let the fly settle on the bottom.