A Bob Popovics Story
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UNI Products Fly Tiers Corner
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Dedicated to Joe Wolthuis of Scientific Anglers who passed on March 5, 2026.
SALTWATER
“We remember the buddies first the fishing after” – Gator Cabin 01, Relaxed Retreat at Carolina King, Summerton, SC – 2026 Bob Popovics on the Millhouse Podcast.
April 2026
Column and photos from Adam Hortenberry
Bob Popovics was a distinguished figure in the world of saltwater fly fishing an innovator whose creative vision permanently reshaped the way anglers think about fly design and tying techniques. His passing on November 1, 2024, left a deep sense of loss across the fly-fishing community.
Bob Popovics at the tying vise.
Always generous with his time and expertise, Bob freely shared his knowledge to help others refine their craft, whether in casting or at the vise. His influence continues to ripple outward through countless fly fishers and tyers across the country, including well-known names like Blane Chocklett, Henry Cowen, Jonny King, David Nelson, and Jason Taylor, among many others. I interviewed a few of the names mentioned.
Henry Cowen, an Umpqua Feather Merchants/Orvis fly designer and guide, writes “Bob Popovics influence on warm water and saltwater fly tiers was similar to that of asking how Isaac Newton influenced physics. His surf candy fly revolutionized how to make a slender baitfish fly that was indestructible, effective, and easy to tie. My Cowen’s sand eel, silverside, albie anchovy and mullet (carried by Umpqua Feather Merchants and Orvis) were all based off the Popovics surf candy platform. It solved a problem in that they’re smaller and breathe better but never would have been created if not for Bob Popovics.”
Henry Cowen’s Albie Anchovy
Jason Taylor a disciple of Bobs Writes “Bob’s influence on the world of fly tying emphasized purpose through observation on each of his designs, to not only solve a specific problem/scenario, but also left room for the tiers to expound and refine on both the patterns, themselves and the tying techniques. The 3-D has been the single most influential design to me personally. Not because of the exact pattern itself, but because of what it teaches in tying it.”
Tied by Jason Taylor
Jonny King a Rio signature fly designer and disciple of Bob’s who also helped name the “beast fleye” writes “Bob taught us all so many patterns and groundbreaking techniques, and I’ve used them all. But his strongest influence on me was to base our flies not on other patterns, but on the real baits we imitate. It’s amazing how we trick ourselves into thinking our flies have the right profiles, colors, and action, but Bob taught me to measure my flies against the real prey we are imitating. In that sense, Bob liberated me from copying other fly patterns and urged me to copy the real deal. My favorite of Bob’s patterns are first the 3D Fleye, because even though it was replaced by later bucktail flies, it was the first of his patterns to focus on a three-dimensional profile. Second, I love the Bulkhead for a couple of reasons. I think it takes the Hollow Fleye to another level but adding just the right amount of bulk up front to improve the action of the fly and because Bob didn’t even think it warranted being treated as a “new pattern,” until I told him he had to develop it and publish it. I wrote an article about it for Fly Fisherman, because I was so smitten by its simple way of achieving just the right profile and swimming action of wide baits.”
Hoo Fly tied by Jonny King.
Popovics’ iconic patterns the Hollow Fleye, Bucktail Deceiver, Bulkhead Deceiver, Beast Fleye, and the endlessly adaptable Surf Candy remain staples in saltwater fly boxes around the world. His designs weren’t just about catching fish; they solved real problems and elevated fly-tying into an inventive art form rooted in observation, imitation, and motion. His two books well worth the read are PopFleyes and Fleye Design, which are must haves if you enjoy saltwater fly fishing/tying.
Fleye Selection: Matching the Bait
As Bob often said, success starts with matching the bait in the water you’re fishing. I’m soon heading to the Gulf Shores area, so my plan is to focus on small bait patterns ideal for sea trout, redfish, and similar species. The Surf Candy matches smaller bait in the surf and Bob’s Ultra Shrimp (sizes 2 and 4) will be my go-to choice. Fishing on a floating line and the Sink Tip mini made by Scientific Anglers.
PopFleyes Surf Candy
Surf Candies tied by Adam Hortenberry.
Materials
The Surf Candy emerged from one of Bob’s signature problem-solving moments. He set out to make a more durable fly. Small Baitfish are translucent with larger eyes so with the aid of light cured resins now days it makes the surf candy a bit easier to tie. using synthetic fibers such as UltraHair and SuperHair, though he also worked with bucktail, polar bear, craft fur, Polar Fiber and other materials depending on the look and movement he wanted. He used these materials especially when targeting Bluefish because of the number they do on natural materials. Baitfish you could do with the surf candy including Glass Minnows, Silversides, Bay Anchovies, and even squid. Bobs ultra shrimp also falls under this category in my opinion.
- Body: Congo hair/Ep fibers/Polar Fibre to match bait. In this case I will use a Tan & White
- Thread: Fine monofilament
- Hook: SLS12 or similar saltwater hook
- Flash: Angel Hair or Flashabou (Lateral Scale optional)
- Eyes: Fleye Foil (discontinued, but other brands work well) Prosport also makes one now
- Finish: Epoxy or UV-cured resin
Tying Steps
- Thread Base — Cover the hook shank back to the hook point with monofilament thread. (You can also tie in a strip of bills body braid or flash in silver or pearl to help aid in the illusion of a lateral line.)
- Bottom Wing — Rotate the hook upside down and tie it in a light-colored wing with sparse material and minimal wraps.
- Flash — Rotate upright; tie in 10–20 strands of pearl or silver flash you can also use angel hair which was Bobs preferred method. at the midpoint of the wing material. Fold it back and secure with a few tight wraps.
- Top Wing & Eyes — Add the darker top wing at the same tie-in point. Attach tab eyes now or fleye foils if using them. For stick-on eyes, leave a few wraps behind the tie-in point and whip finish. A touch of Loctite will hold them in place before coating them. (Pro tip-make a generic shape first if using stick on eyes then coat over it looks more natural.)
- Finish & Coat — Apply resin or epoxy to shape and strengthen the fly. Use a bodkin to guide material and form a clean profile.
- For UV resin, build shape in stages and cure each layer completely. Wipe lightly with rubbing alcohol to remove tackiness.
- For epoxy, work quickly (it sets in about five minutes). Aim for smooth, even coverage without excess buildup.
- UV Resin might be the preferred method as it’s a bit easier to work with.
The result is a slim, glassy-bodied baitfish imitation tough, translucent, and lifelike in the surf. Few patterns capture Bob Popovics’ spirit of ingenuity better than the Surf Candy: simple, effective, and built to last against any toothy Critter.
Artwork by Al Quattrocchi
