UNI Products Fly Tiers Corner
It seems to resemble everything!
December 2023
The Kwan Fly is a pattern originated in South Florida for use on that region’s saltwater flats. The pattern was designed by Patrick Dorsy for targeting bonefish. Thus, it was tied in small sizes and meant to imitate baitfish on the bottom or crustaceans. It also proved to be quite attractive to permit that used that same habitat for feeding.
The fly has been described as a cross between a Del Brown Merkin and a Borski Slider tied by Florida Keys resident Tim Borski. The forward portion of the fly looks a lot like a Merkin body, with the rear portion resembling the slider. On first glance, it even reminds one of a small Tarpon Toad pattern. Regardless of what it looks like to anglers, a lot of fish species have proven to like it.
Besides the bones and permit mentioned earlier, when tied in larger sizes it is readily attacked by snook, redfish, seatrout and even tarpon.
While the original Kwan was tied using a tan or brown color scheme, chartreuse has also been a proven hue. When properly tied, the hook on the Kwan rides with the point facing upward. It also has a mono loop tied above the tail that keeps that trailer from getting fouled on the hook. Additionally, two mono weed guards are tied in front of the point of the hook.
The type eyes used on the fly are important to how it is fished. If bead chain eyes are used, it can be stripped through the water. It has enough shimmy to it that it looks like a baitfish trying to escape. Also, if you are targeting bonefish, permit or redfish over grass beds, the lighter weight prevents a lot of snagging in the vegetation.
On the other hand, when fishing on sand or mud bottoms the Kwan can be a great crab or shrimp imitation when tied with lead eyes. That way it dives vertically to the bottom when you stop stripping, much as crustaceans do. Also, when bounced across hard sand or soft mud, it leaves a trail of puffs that attract the attention of nearby predators.
The difficulty in tying the Kwan is to learn how to position and tie on the yarn strips of the body across the shank of the hook. For this you need a crisscrossed thread wrap. With a bit of practice, that chore can be mastered.
