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Stu Apte Tarpon FlyStreameradvanced

Florida Keys & South Florida

Stu Apte Tarpon Fly

$10.95

Available Sizes#2/0 - #4/0
Color Variations
Orange/GrizzlyCockroachRed/Yellow

Stu Apte caught more tarpon on a fly rod than most people have seen in their lives, and he did much of it with this pattern. The design is deceptively simple -- saddle hackle, schlappen collar, thread head -- but simplicity is what survives a hundred-pound fish shaking its head in the air. This is not a fly that tries to impress you. It is a fly that catches tarpon. The distinction matters.

Quick Facts

TypeStreamer
Difficultyadvanced
SeasonsSpring, Summer
Target SpeciesTarpon
Sizes#2/0 - #4/0
Best LocationsIslamorada Backcountry, FL; Bahia Honda Channel, FL; Key West Harbor, FL

Where to Fish It

Islamorada Backcountry

FL · Backcountry

Bahia Honda Channel

FL · Channels

Key West Harbor

FL · Bridges

Map unavailable. Locations for Stu Apte Tarpon Fly: Islamorada Backcountry, FL; Bahia Honda Channel, FL; Key West Harbor, FL

Related Reading

region guide

Florida Keys: Chasing the Flats Grand Slam

The Florida Keys Grand Slam — bonefish, permit, and tarpon on the fly in a single day — is saltwater fly fishing's ultimate test. It demands mastery of three different species, three different presentations, and an almost unreasonable amount of luck. Here's how to stack the odds in your favor.

species science

The Silver King: Understanding Tarpon

Tarpon breathe air. They've survived five mass extinctions. They migrate thousands of miles, daisy-chain in mysterious circles, and when they eat your fly, they do things in the air that no other fish can do. Understanding what makes them tick is the first step toward actually landing one.

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