Fl. Chartreuse Mallard Flank

Fluorescent Chartreuse Mallard Flank Feathers

There’s an old rule: if it ain’t chartreuse, it ain’t no use. It’s not always true, but it’s true often enough that I’ve never been on a boat without it. Fluorescent chartreuse with real barring through it glows in dirty water and still looks alive. Snook, redfish, bass, bluegill. They don’t know why they like it. Neither do I. Doesn’t matter.

What you get: About 60 feathers in a 2 gram bag, mixed sizes. Hand-sorted, no junk.

Recipe 1: Chartreuse Flank Snook Shrimp

• Hook: Saltwater hook, #1–#2
• Thread: Chartreuse 6/0
• Eyes: Burnt mono shrimp eyes
• Antennae: Fl. Chartreuse mallard flank fibers, long, with 2 strands of pearl Flashabou
• Legs: Fl. Chartreuse mallard flank, palmered over the front half of the body
• Body: White Ice Dub, brushed out
• Back: Clear Thin Skin pulled over and ribbed with mono, coated with UV resin

How to fish it: Dock lights and mangrove edges at night or on the tide change. Cast up-current and let the shrimp drift into the light line with short twitches. Snook hit at the edge of the shadow. Use 30-pound fluoro bite tippet. They have sandpaper mouths and bad attitudes.

Recipe 2: Chartreuse Flank-Tail Bass Popper

• Hook: Popper/bass hook, #2–#4
• Thread: Chartreuse 6/0
• Tail: Fl. Chartreuse mallard flank, two feathers tied splayed, with a few strands of chartreuse Krystal Flash
• Collar: Fl. Chartreuse mallard flank, 2 turns
• Legs: Chartreuse/black rubber legs, 2 per side
• Head: Pre-shaped foam popper body, chartreuse, glued on
• Eyes: Stick-on eyes

How to fish it: Cast tight to cover, let the rings settle, then pop it once. Wait. Pop again. That flank tail breathes on every pause, and that’s when bass and big bluegill come up. Morning and evening in summer. Hang on to your rod.