Gary Merriman’s Tarpon Toad – I wrote about this fly in an article called The Lost Salt Flies because this fly has quite the history. Partial credit for the innovation of this fly should probably go to Harry Spears, and another partial credit to Del Brown. But the point is, a lot of legendary anglers contributed to this style of fly and Merriman took it to a new level.   

Dave Chouinard’s Fit For A King – We expect some debate on this one, but it’s one of our favorites. The Fit For A King splits the gap between traditional and modern using splayed chicken feathers on the back with newer-school materials on the body. Chouinard says the Arctic fox body is key to the pattern’s success and creates the movement tarpon can’t seem to refuse. 

Andy Mill’s Millhouse Tarpon Toad – Andy Mill is the best tournament tarpon angler of all time, wrote a thorough book on Florida Key’s tarpon, and in the process encouraged us all to pull harder on big ones. He now runs the Millhouse Podcast with his son Nicky Mill. He put his name on a couple effective patterns, namely the Millhouse Tarpon Toad and Millhouse Tarpon Shrimp. I made a fly-tying video on how to tie the Millhouse Tarpon Toad and explained the history and differences in Mills’ version of the Tarpon Toad.  

Drew Chicone’s Punisher – This is a modern Homer Rhodes Seaducer. When this fly got added to the list, a few of our crew argued it is more of a snook fly. However, it’s sparse, it is available in a bunch of colors, it lands soft, it’s tied on a strong hook, and it moves great in the water . . . so we decided it’s worthy of the list. Naturally, Chicone also includes this pattern in his book on top tarpon flies. We’ve done well in both Florida and Puerto Rico on this pattern. 

Greg Peterson’s Tarpon Nugget – Tampa Bay guide and fly tyer Greg Peterson developed the tarpon nugget tied “Keys Style” (see Stu Apte section below for Keys Style definition).  This is a guide fly, easy to tie, but very effective and available in great color combos. Simple pattern with great movement.   

Drew Chicone’s Peyote Palolo – Although I have never been blessed enough to witness the palolo worm hatch in South Florida, I do realize that the worm fly has taken over in the Florida Keys. Anglers are fishing the “worm fly” all season, and looking for a reactionary bite with a smooth two-handed strip. Chicone’s foam version of the worm fly is all about the wake and action, which accurately creates the unique swimming motion of the real thing.   

Stu Apte’s Black Death – Apte developed the “Key’s style” tarpon fly. This style of fly, which has no materials on the hook shank and all materials tied at the rear of the hook, has four key advantages. Key’s-style flies cut through the wind better, which makes them easier to cast. The design also allows for fast sink rate because there are no materials on the shank to create buoyancy, allowing the fly to get into the strike zone quickly. The design reduces the chances of materials at the front of the hook fowling around the bend of the hook. Finally, it maintains a slim profile while allowing a lot of movement. Stu Apte is a legend in the tarpon fly-fishing world.   

Enrico Puglisi’s Tarpon Special Bunny – This fly uses a combination of rabbit and synthetic materials from fly-tying wizard Enrico Puglisi. This is one of the best swimming flies on the list, offering lots of movement. All three available colors are excellent, but I would not be without the black and purple version.  I don't know if I would call this your typical Keys fly but it's deadly in some parts of the world and this one for sure plays in the Everglades with it's large profile.   

Norman Duncan’s Cockroach – This fly is well known and on nearly every serious tarpon anglers top 10 list. However, Norman Duncan, the originator of the pattern is lesser known than other famous saltwater anglers that emerged in the 1960’s. He was ahead of his time. While most anglers were throwing bright orange and yellow flies for tarpon, Duncan noticed that some tarpon were not interested in the flashy colors. He developed the Cockroach to be a more natural looking pattern; it was tied sparse and more realistic and ultimately unlocked “locked jaw” days on the tarpon flats. The Cockroach, as well as many variations of the fly, is still a go-to fly today. It got its name when Duncan was fishing and decided that it looked like a cockroach when it was stripped through the water.