Alaskan Candy Cane Carcass Fly
By R. Tyson Pardue
The biggest trout in Alaska are caught on carcass flies every year. If you plan on going to Alaska to fish for rainbows in August or September - make sure you have lots of "Candy Canes" tied in size 6 in 8. This pattern was developed by a guide and lodge owner in Alaska. This particular pattern is even more effective than standard carcass patterns - because of the pink underbody. Use either white or light tan bunny. Looks more like real salmon flesh than any pattern I've seen. Remember - this fly is supposed to look like rotting flesh - so don't be a perfectionist. Whip out a bunch. Also - you'll lose a ton. The best place to fish carcass flies is in and around big log jams.
|
|
|
Step 1
Put the hook in the vise - and tie in a generous amount of lead around the hook. Go from behind the head - all the way to just in front of the hook point. Tie it down well with the thread - so that is won't roll under the material. A few drops of zap-a-gap can't hurt.
|
|
|
Step 2
Tie in a small (1/4 - 1/2 inch) piece of marabou for the tail. The tips of the marabou works best. However - this is not a fly to be picky about. Its supposed to look like a piece of rotting fish flesh - don't get too worked up over it.
|
|
|
Step 3
Prepare a piece of pink chenille. Flourescent pink works best - but salmon or illiama pink works pretty well also. Strip off some the chenille fibers to facilitate the tie in. Tie it in.
|
|
|
Step 4
Now cut a short piece of white or light beige bunny. You can also use pink - with white chenille underneith for a reverse candy cane. Tie it in at the rear of the fly, just on top or next to the chennile.
|
|
|
Step 5
Now wrap the chenille forward - and cover the whole body tightly. Tie off at the front of the fly - but leave room for the thread head.
|
|
|
Step 6
Now wrap the bunny material forward over the chenille. Leave room between each wrap like a candy cane. This allows the seductive pink to show thru the long bunny fibers. Tie off the bunny. Trim the excess - and tie a nice thread head. Treat with some head cement - as you don't want this falling apart when fish after fish hammers it.
|
| Back to Top |
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
