Aquaflies Fish Taco Fly

The Aquaflies Fish Taco Fly is a legendary pattern designed by Jeff Hickman that belongs in every winter steelhead box. This unweighted shank fly solves the common problem of snagging bottom while still providing a large profile that grabs the attention of aggressive fish. It serves as a go-to confidence pattern for anglers chasing steelhead, salmon, and char in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The sparse design allows it to sink quickly despite being unweighted, while the materials come alive in the current.

What It Imitates

This pattern is a classic attractor that does not copy one specific food source. Instead, it mimics the general size and movement of swimming prey like prawns, squid, or baitfish. The long ostrich herl fibers pulse and breathe in the water to create the illusion of life that predatory fish cannot ignore.

How To Use It

Fish this fly on the swing using a two-handed spey rod or a single-hand rod with a sink-tip line. Because the fly itself is unweighted, you must rely on the density of your sink tip to get it into the strike zone. Cast downstream and across, mend your line, and let the current carry the fly across the river. It works exceptionally well in shallow tailouts where weighted flies might snag, but it also swims beautifully in deep, heavy runs when paired with a heavy tip.

When To Use It

Tie this on during winter steelhead seasons or when targeting king and coho salmon in cold water. The unweighted design makes it a perfect choice for fishing "inside water" or soft currents near the bank where resting fish often sit. Darker colors like Black and Purple excel in low-light conditions or glacial water, while Pink and Chartreuse stand out in green or clearing water.

Why We Like It

We love the Fish Taco because it casts easily and fishes hard without wearing you out. Heavy, weighted flies can feel like casting a wet sock, but this pattern stays light and responsive. The ostrich herl creates better movement than almost any other material, fluttering with even the slightest current. It gives you the best of both worlds by offering a large profile without the bulk that makes other intruder-style flies difficult to throw.

Comparisons

Aquaflies Fish Taco Fly vs Hoh Bo Spey:

The Hoh Bo Spey is another classic unweighted pattern that shares a similar philosophy but uses different materials. The Hoh Bo relies on marabou feathers for its movement, creating a pulsing, puffball effect in the water. The Fish Taco uses ostrich herl, which provides a longer, stringier action that slims down more in fast water. If you want a fly with a wider shoulder and more bulk, choose the Hoh Bo Spey. If you prefer a sleeker profile with long, swimming tendrils, the Fish Taco is the better option.

Aquaflies Fish Taco Fly vs Weighted Intruder:

A standard Weighted Intruder features lead eyes or a brass cone to help it plummet deep into the water column fast. While this is helpful in very fast or deep slots, it makes the fly harder to cast and much more likely to snag on rocks. The Fish Taco is unweighted, meaning it hovers and glides rather than dropping like a stone. Choose the Weighted Intruder for dredging deep pits, but stick with the Fish Taco for swinging shallow runs, tailouts, and soft water.

Aquaflies Fish Taco Fly vs String Leech:

The String Leech is a simpler pattern consisting mostly of a rabbit strip or synthetic fur on a long mount. It offers incredible movement but often lacks the defined profile and color contrast of the Fish Taco. The Fish Taco features a guinea collar and specific body dubbing that creates a "shoulder" in the water, pushing more water and creating a distinct silhouette. Use the String Leech for pure movement, but choose the Fish Taco when you need a fly that maintains a baitfish shape in the current.