SURF CANDY
The Surf Candy is an excellent representation of a baitfish. Originally tied by Bob Popovic it is probably the closest artificial fly to a natural bait. This fly is designed to be fished fast as there is little or no movement to the fly. Fish like tuna, tailor, salmon and mackeral are particulary susceptible to candies.
Apart from their lifelike appearance, surf candies are extremely durable due to the epoxy body and mainly artificial materials used to make them. Chances are you will lose the fly to a fish long before the fly becomes unusable.
This fly is best fished to feeding schools of fish on a sinking or intermediate line. Allow to sink and them retrieve at high speed. Be wary of takes on the drop and retrieve as either can come rather unexpected.
Materials :
Hook : Size 4-4/0 Mustad 34007 or Gamakatsu SS15
Eyes : Stick on prismatic eyes (size to suit)
Wing : Layers of streamer hair and krystalflash.
Underwing : Generally white or silver streamer hair or krystalflash.
Lateral Line : An optional layer of red or pink streamer hair can be added to give the impression of a lateral line.
Finish body by applying 5-min Devcon epoxy from head to bend of hook.
Colour schemes to start with should imitate natural baits. Example bluebait, white/silver belly and blue back. Substitute different materials as desired.
As an alternative this fly can be finished with silicone instead of epoxy where a soft feeling fly is required. Silicone however is less durable.