Bodkin / Patterns

Kwan Fly

Crab · Redfish · Permit · Bonefish · Sea Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Standard saltwater hook (Mustad 34007 / Gamakatsu SC15), straight eye, #2-6
  • Thread Tan 3/0 (210 denier)

Materials

  • Bead chain or mono eyes Silver / clear dumbbell eyes (1 pair)
  • Craft fur or EP fibers (tail/wing) Tan craft fur (1 small clump)
  • Krystal Flash Pearl / gold flashabou (4-6 strands)
  • Estaz / cactus chenille (body) Tan or root beer estaz cactus chenille (1 short length)
  • Round rubber legs Tan/barred rubber legs (1-2 pairs)

How to tie it

  1. Lay a thread base and lash the bead-chain eyes on top of the shank about one eye-width back from the hook eye, using tight figure-8 wraps. This fly rides hook-point-up, so mounting the eyes on top flips it over in the water.
  2. Advance thread to the bend. Tie in a sparse clump of tan craft fur one to one-and-a-half shank lengths long as the tail, then add 4-6 strands of Krystal Flash the same length over it. Keep it thin.
  3. Tie in the tip of the Estaz at the tail. Wind the thread forward to just behind the eyes.
  4. Palmer the Estaz forward in touching turns to build a full, buggy body, stopping behind the eyes. Tie off and clip the excess.
  5. Fold a pair of rubber legs along each side and lash them in behind the eyes so they splay outward as claws or legs.
  6. Cross the thread to the front of the eyes and add a small clump of tan craft fur on top as a short wing/collar to hide the tie-in.
  7. Build a neat head in front of the eyes, whip finish, and add a drop of head cement.

Tying videos

← All fly patterns