QS Beach Bug
| By Al Quattrocchi
I came up with the Qs Beach Bug around fifteen years ago while fishing the Southern California surf zone for Barred Surf Perch, Yellowfin Croaker and Corbina. This fly is purely an attractor pattern representing crustaceans like shrimp. It came as an inspiration from a fly that an old fishing buddy, Nick Curcione used to fish, but with my own thumbprint on it. I was very lucky fella to be introduced to saltwater fly fishing by one of the pioneers of the sport on the West coast, Nick Curcione. I met Nick in the late eighties at a Loyola Marymount University Alumni barbeque and we instantly became friends and started tying flies and fishing together. Nick taught and mentored me, and made me understand some of the most important qualities in a good surf fly, especially non foul ability. I always appreciated Nick’s willingness to experiment with new ideas and the days we spent tying flies on his deck. This fly is a tribute to Nick, since he moved away from Southern California to fish in greener pastures. |
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I always use a sinking shooting head in the Southern Californian surf. The type of sinking head obviously depends on the conditions and weight rod I am using. The way I like to fish this fly is to use a five to seven foot leader and attach the fly using a non-slip mono loop. The non-slip mono loop, or Kreh loop, allows the fly to dive straight down and impart a natural swing to the fly. Single hand, short strips with an occasional long or bump will keep the fly moving like a shrimp. Fly rod under the arm and a two-handed stripping technique will swim the fly like a bait. This pattern has been very effective on the West Coast for large Surf Perch as well as many other local species. It can be tied in a variety of sizes and colors according to the specific bottom it is fished over. I have had great success with this fly over the years and I hope it finds a place in your flybox or better yet the lip of surf-caught fish.
Al Quattrocchi
Principal I Creative Director
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Tornado Design LA
8800 Venice Blvd. Suite 216
Los Angeles, CA 90034
310.202.1020 wk
310.202.1021 fax
www.tornadodesign.la
