As requested here is a step by step on tying a Surf Candy.
The Surf Candy, like the Clouser, the Deceiver and indeed other saltwater flies, where the designers are not too precious about the flies they created; is a style of dressing a fly, rather than a specific pattern with rigid application of defined materials. This style of tying is based on a pattern by Bob Popovics who wanted to imitate Bay Anchovies, and initially tied with natural materials like bucktail. Nowadays you will usually see these tied with synthetics, utilising the transparent quality these synthetics have when epoxy is applied to them. Variations of materials, applications and techniques can create a whole range of 'Candies'. Pop Fleyes by Bob Popovics and Ed Jaworowski covers various methods of tying the Surf Candy, as well as other Popovics patterns such as the Bob's Banger, Semper Fleye and Ultra Shrimp which have made him such a respected innovative tier.
Materials
Gamakatsu SS15 size 8
Mono Thread
Pearl Body Braid
Pink DNA Holofusion
1.5mm Yellow Eyes
Epoxy
Head Cement
Apply thread, attach Pearl Body Braid near to the eyes and secure to the bend of the hook by running the thread down and then back up to the eye.
I've used mono thread, as it goes transparent with the application of the epoxy, adding to the overall effect of the finished fly.
Wrap the Body Braid up the hook shank and fix with a few turns of thread.
Cut off a dozen or so strands of Pink DNA Holofusion, square off the end you are going to offer to the hook and attach with a few turns of thread.
Usually when using synthetics, I would double over the material to make it more secure. As this is all going to all be fixed with epoxy it is not required.
Whip finish and apply the eyes. Try and get the eyes as even as possible.
Mix up some epoxy and apply to the fly. I like to use cocktail sticks. Once you have got a reasonably even coat of epoxy. Put the fly onto a rotary drier and allow to set.
The rotary drier will help the epoxy to set evenly around the fly. You might need to check the fly, to adjust the DNA whilst the epoxy is still tacky, as often this likes to creep away from the shank. Also whilst the epoxy is still tacky, you can take the fly out and tip eye down to get more epoxy toward the front of the eye and give the fly more of an air sack.
With bigger flies you would usually apply a second coat of epoxy. This even everything out even more and give the fly a nice finish. As this is such a small fly I just give it a second coat with some varnish.
Once the fly it finished I will take some taperising scissors to the tail just to give it a nice profile. This is not entirely necessary though.
Surf Candy/Bait Fish Candy
Linear Mode
