Christmas Mantis: Searching for the universal shrimp imitation that both triggerfish and bonefish will eat readily, we ended up with this pattern that really fits the bill. With subtle flash and a muted, more natural tail, it is the perfect fly to not spook finicky fish, and it incorporates all the colors that make a "Christmas Island Special" so effective. It also includes extra small lead eyes that helps the fly get to the bottom quickly, but without much of an impact, as well as a wing designed to help it land subtly on the water, and spook less fish.
If you like patterns in the Christmas Island “shrimp/crab” color family but want something a little more restrained for picky flats fish, the Christmas Mantis is a dependable option to keep in rotation.