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     OLD FLY OF THE MONTH PATTERNS

     This section of the web site will be dedicated to the Fly of the Month.  Each month, we will take a local fly that has been doing well on fish, and give you step-by-step instructions on how to tie it.  Many of these flies will be submitted by local guides.  Each fly will contain a materials list, as well as a guide on how to fish it.

    November 2007

The EP-Fiber Kwan

Provided By:  Captain John Tarr

Materials Needed:

  1. Gamakatsu SC-15 or Mustad C47SD Hook (size 6-1)
  2. Flat Waxed Thread
  3. EP Silky Fibers (Enrico Puglisi)
  4. EP Fibers (Enrico Puglisi)
  5. Single Neck Hackle (Tip for palmering)
  6. Beadchain or Lead Eyes

Tying Directions:

  1. Step One:  Secure the hook in the vise point down.  Attach the thread and move to the rear of the hook, just before the bend.
  2. Step Two:  For the tail, attach a length of EP Silky Fibers to the rear of the hook.  Fibers should be approximately 1.5 to 2 times the length of the hook shank and should be the thickness of a match stick.
  3. Step Three:  Tie in a grizzly hackle tip.  Palmer forward 2 to 3 wraps and secure.  Trim off the excess feather.
  4. Step Four:  For the body, separate a clump of EP Fibers from the package.  The fibers you separate should be about 1/2 the thickness of a #2 pencil.  For the first model, I used two separate colors.  If you wish to do this, make each clump about half the normal size and then mix the materials together.  This can be done to give the pattern a more mottled look or to blend specific colors.  Once you have your clump, cut it into pieces about 1 1/2 inches long.  Attach a piece by Figure 8 wrapping it.  Once you complete the Figure 8 wrap, wrap in front of the piece two times.  Repeat his process for a second bunch and make sure to push the second bunch back, so there are no gaps between the clumps.
  5. Step Five:  Continue this process, moving the clumps forward, until you fill the hook shank.  Be sure to leave enough room to attach eyes and a weedguard (optional).
  6. Step Six:  Attach lead or beadchain eyes to the top of the hook shank; this will help the fly ride hook point up.  Beadchain eyes will cause the fly to sink very slowly, allowing it to be worked in the middle of the water column (very effective for trout).  Lead eyes will cause the fly to sink to the bottom for redfish, black drum, etc.  Attach a mono weedguard, if desired, between the eyes and the eye of the hook.  Whip finish and cut-off the thread.
  7. Step 7:  Carefully trim the EP Fiber body to a crab shape.  Be sure not to trim the feather.  Once the fly has been trimmed, apply head cement along the body tie in points and the eyes.  I apply head cement to the entire length of the hook shank, on top and bottom.  This helps the fly last much longer.

Tying Notes:

     This fly is tied just like the traditional kwan pattern, but uses Enrico Puglisi tying materials in place of craft fur and sparkle yarn.  The use of EP Fibers allows me to blend various colors for realistic looks.  In the first model, I have used EP 3-D Mangrove fibers for the body along with the Light Blue.  In the second model, I used only the 3-D Mangrove fibers for the body.  In addition, I bar some of the tails (like model #2) and leave others plain.  This fly can be tied in numerous colors, depending on the favorites for your area.  In addition to having unlimited color variations, I find that the EP Fibers typically last longer than traditional yarns; they also shed water, instead of soaking it up, making casting easier.

Fishing Techniques:

     This fly has proven to work well on trout, redfish, flounder, black drum, mangrove snapper and bonefish.  When fishing for predators that feed "up", like trout and snapper, I tend to use the pattern with beadchain eyes.  This keeps the fly in the middle of the water column.  Short strips work well during this time, causing the fly to jig up and down.  When fishing for predators that tend to feed "down", redfish and black drum, I use the lead weighted flies; unless the water is too shallow and beadchain will get it to the bottom.  Long, slow strips work well here.  This causes the fly to send up puffs of mud, which imitates a crab scurrying across the bottom.  If long strips do not work, try "popping" the fly, which causes it to jump up and then dive back to the bottom; this imitates a crab trying to bury itself in the mud.

     The kwan is a great fly anytime the fish are feeding on shrimp or crabs.  Since it can imitate either prey, it allows you to cover both without changing flies.  Tie them in a variety of colors, sizes and weights; this will allow you to be prepared for any situation.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2008:  The Fly Fisherman Will Host Its Second Annual Fly Fishing Tournament to Benefit the Edgewater Pet Society!

 

    

 

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