Fly Patterns when targeting the exciting Pacú is all about sight-fishing opportunities. Pacú are known to like structure so keep in mind for fallen trees and rocks when hunting this species. It is best to use 8-weight rods, rigged with floating tropical lines, in order to pitch spun deer-hair “fruit patterns” tied on stout hooks, as well as foam, high-floating dry flies and smaller streamers, toward intended targets. Pacú are omnivores, so fooling them on the fruit, and on top, is sure to please all the purists in the group!
Cork Fruit Flies
Info: This fly is relatively new in the world of fly fishing and has been specially developed for Pacu fly fishing. This can be made in a number of different sizes however the larger ones tend to be more productive. Foam is another option for this fly and a strong and large wide gape hook is preferable.
Materials: Cork or Foam and TMC 600SP hook.
How to Fish: This fly is only fished with a floating line casting as close to or under trees, targeting in particular trees carrying fruit. It is important to make sure the fly lands on the surface of the water with as much disturbance as possible. Allowing the loop in your fly line to unfold too early will overpower the fly into the water making the imitation seem more realistic.
When to fish: This can be fished at all times, however, will not be as productive during heavy sunlight and strong heat. The best time to use this is when the fish become more active usually around last light and early morning.
Where to fish: This can be fished in locations that hold this fruit and Pacu, the most common being the upper Parana River or Alto Parana.
Tie: Use a craft knife to cut the cork or foam into the basic size and shape. Then use a file or rough surface to shape the cork or foam in to a circular ball. Paint using a permanent marker or dip in a dye to change the colour. Create a slit in in the cork about a third in and apply super glue or cement to the hole. Attach to the hook leaving a large enough gape to allow the hook gape to be more open.
Fruit flies
Info: This fly is relatively new in the world of fly fishing and has been specially developed for Pacu fly fishing. This can be made in a number of different sizes however the larger ones tend to be more productive. A strong and large wide gape hook is preferable.
Materials: Bucktail, 3/0 or 210 Denier Thread and TMC 600SP Hook.
How to Fish: This fly is only fished with a floating line casting as close to or under trees, targeting in particular trees carrying fruit. It is important to make sure the fly lands on the surface of the water with as much disturbance as possible. Allowing the loop in your fly line to unfold too early will overpower the fly into the water making the imitation seem more realistic.
When to fish: This can be fished at all times, however, will not be as productive during periods of heavy sunlight and strong heat. The best time to use this is when the fish become more active usually around last light and early morning.
Where to fish: This can be fished in locations that hold this fruit and Pacu, the most common being the upper Parana River or Alto Parana.
Tie (Floating): Tie a base layer of thread midway down the shank of the hook. Attach the bucktail by taking a small bunch and remove all the short hairs, then stack fibres. Tie the bucktail by making a few lighter turns, before tightening and moving around the shank. Add 2-3 more bunches of fibres along the shank before tying off with a whip finish. Trim the fibres into a ball leaving a group of no more than 10 fibres towards the hook as a stem.
Tie (Sinking): Use Lead wire down the shank of the hook to create some weight to the fly. Tie a base layer of thread midway down the shank of the hook and tie in some lead eyes. Attach the bucktail by taking a small bunch and remove all the short hairs, then stack fibres. Tie the bucktail by making a few lighter turns, before tightening and moving around the hook. Add 2-3 more bunches of fibres along the shank before tying off with a whip finish. Trim the fibres into a ball leaving a group of no more than 10 fibres towards the hook as a stem.
Zonker Minnow Edition. 2
Info: This fly is a very effective pattern due to the suppleness of the Zonker Rabbit Fur and Craft Fur, which creates a fluid action in the water. Around 2-3 inches it can be tied in a varied of different colours. Dark colours are often the most effective.
Materials: Craft Fur, Zonker Strips, Chenille, Bead chain Eyes, 20lb monofilament, 3/0 or 210 Denier and TMC 600SP hook.
How to Fish: This fly can be fished with a floating or sinking line. Ideally, for Pacu this fly should be cast under the tree and near structure in slack water or back eddies.
When to fish: This can be fished anytime.
Where to fish: This can be fished in any location that holds Pacu, the most common being the Upper Parana River or Alto Parana.
Tie: Tie a base layer of thread down the shank before tying in the bead chain eyes near the eye of the hook, leaving enough room to tie down the monofilament. Add in a four-inch piece of monofilament half way around the shank of the hook and wind the thread back up to the end of the shank. Tie in some flashy chenille and make a few wraps with the chenille before tying off it off. Add in 2-3 inch section of Zonker Strip and tie down behind the eyes. Take a clump of Craft Fur and tie it in with the fibres pointing towards the eye of the hook to create a bigger profile on the fly. Bring the thread forward past the eyes and tie down the monofilament making sure it covers the hook. Complete with a whip finish.
Zonker Minnow
Info: This fly is a very effective pattern due to the suppleness of the Zonker Rabbit Fur, which creates a fluid action in the water. Around 2-3 inches it can be tied in a varied of different colours. Dark colours are often the most effective.
Materials: Zonker Strips, Rubber legs, Bead Chain Eyes, 3/0 or 210 Denier Thread and TMC 811S hook.
How to Fish: This can be fished with a floating or sinking line. This should be fished with short to medium length strips consistently towards structure and trees. The strips should not be as long as a Golden Dorado streamer strip.
When to fish: This can be fished at all times and is usually more productive than dry flies.
Where to fish: This can be fished in the upper Parana River or Alto Parana where Pacu are common.
Tie: Create a base layer of thread down the shank of the hook and tie in the bead chain eyes towards the eye of the hook. With the zonker strip add a section at the end of the shank 1-2 inches long. Wind the thread back up the shank to behind the eyes and add rubber legs on both sides before winding the thread to the eye of the hook. Wrap the rest on the zonker strip up the shank of the hook pulling the fibers back each time. Make sure to leave a little room for the rubber legs and wrap until just past the eyes. Tie the zonker strip off and whip finish to complete. Trim some fibers away from around the eyes to make them more visible.
Craft Fur Minnow
Info: This fly is a very effective pattern due to the suppleness of the Craft Fur, which creates a fluid action in the water. Around 2-3 inches it can be tied in a varied of different colours. Dark colours are often most effective.
Materials: Craft Fur, Crystal Flash, Holographic Eyes, 3/0 or 210 Denier Thread and TMC 811S hook.
How to Fish: This can be fished with a floating or sinking line. This should be fished with short to medium length strips consistently towards structure and trees. The strips should not be as long as a Golden Dorado streamer strip.
When to fish: This can theoretically be fished all the time and is usually more productive than dry flies.
Where to fish: This can be fished in the upper Parana River or Alto Parana where Pacu are common.
Tie: Begin with a base layer of thread and gather a small bunch of Craft Fur together of each colour. Tie the 2 colours top and bottom, towards the end of the shank and trim off the excess. Continue this process up the shank of the hook making the fibres shorter each time to create a taper. When the eye of the hook is reached add 2-3 strands of crystal flash down each side before completing with a whip finish. Trim the fly down to create a tapered profile. Finish by glueing eyes on each side.
If you would like to try out this fishing and catch some of these amazing fish, take a look at the amazing Nervous Waters Pira Lodge.
Tight lines,
Peter
