This is Bob Popovics’s latest addition to his fly fishing resume. Bob is a renowned saltwater fly fisherman and tier. This is the newest version of the Surf Candy. Bob has designed a holographic sticker called “Fleye Foils” that adds great detail to this fly. Surf Candies can be tied up to mimic any small baitfish for fresh or saltwater; however, they were designed for the bait that is most important to saltwater fly fishers on the Northeast Coast: bay anchovies, silversides, and sand eels.  These baitfish are the staples of any striped bass’s diet.

At the last Fly Fishing Convention in Somerset, NJ, Bob was giving a demonstration and stated something that drives his fly tying. For larger bait, such as peanut bunker, silhouette is more important than detail. If you look at his Hollow Fleyes, it is pretty apparent that bigger is better. But for small bait, such as sand eels, the detail of the fly is the most important feature of the fly. Fleye Foils add this dimension that other fly patterns cannot achieve.

The most popular combinations are tan and white for Bay Anchovies, olive and white for Sand Eels, and grey and white for Silversides.  However, you are only limited by your own imagination.

Hook: 4-8

Thread: White 210 Danville

Body: Bucktail or your favorite synthetic material ( I used EP Fibers)

Flash: Krystal Flash, Flashabou, or your favorite material ( I used Flashabou)

Head: Fleye Foils with a head of epoxy or light-cured acrylic

Step 1:

Lay down a thread base down the hook shank.

Step 2:

Turn the entire hook upside down and tie in the bottom body of your Surf Candy using the material you have chosen.

Step 3:

Rotate the hook back to right side up and tie in your flash material.

Step 4:

Tie in the material for the top of the fly.  Use a color that will contrast with the bottom body color.

Step 5:

Tie in your adhesive Fleye Foils.

 

Step 6:

Use your epoxy or light-cured acrylic to create a slender profile for your Surf Candy.  Apply the epoxy or acrylic to almost the end of the adhesive Fleye Foil.

 

Tips: If you are using epoxy take your time, you can apply the epoxy in two settings.  Clear Cure Goo is optimal for this fly.  Also, keep the material sparse for this fly.