The Rabbit Candy

**rory** · 25-01-10

The Rabbit Candy
I first stumbled across this pattern about 8 years ago in an article written by Tom McGuane, on flyfishing in Mexico. There was only one pic of the fly, and no tying instructions, it was simply labeled: Rabbit Candy. Dead easy to tie, it is effectively the same principle as tying a Surf Candy, but using Zonker strips for the tail. I have had a huge ammount of success targeting Shad with this fly, they love it. In the tying sequence I've added plenty weight, as I normally fish the fly in the surf. Use less or no weight if required. A good tip when creating big epoxy flies is not to apply the epoxy in one go. Rather apply two coats, the first to secure the materials and then a second coat to shape the fly.

Materials:
Hook: Mustad 34007 #1 - #2/0
Weight: Lead wire
Thread: White
Tail: Zonker strips. White below, colour of choice above
Body: Mylar Tubing and 5 minute Epoxy
Lateral Line: Silver tinsel
Eyes: Silver Prism Stick on

Step 1.
Add the lead wire to weight the fly. Leave enough space behind the hook eye, and before the hook bend to allow easy tying in of the other materials.

Step 2.
Secure the lead wraps with the thread. Apply some Super glue along the lead wraps to secure. Tie in the first Zonker strip.

Step 3.
Tie in the second Zonker strip on top. The top Zonker strip Must be one to one and a half times the length of the hook shank. The lower zonker strip is half the length of the top strip. Whip finish and cut the thread off.

Step 4:
Cut the Mylar tubing to the required length, and slide it over the lead wraps. Rather cut the Mylar slightly longer than required.

Step 5.
Use the thread to tie the Mylar off behind the eye of the hook, and at the end of the lead wraps before the bend in the hook.

Step 6.
Now the tricky bit. Very carefully cut off the excess Mylar, as close as possible to the thread wraps. Add a tiny drop of Super glue to each of the thread wraps to secure.

Step 7.
Tie in a piece of the silver Tinsel on each side of the fly to imitate the lateral line.

Step 8.
Apply the first coat of epoxy. Try to work the epoxy into the materials. Don't worry if the epoxy doesn't finish smoothly.

**rory** · 25-01-10

Step 9.
Once the epoxy is almost dry, add the stick on eyes.

Step 10.
Apply the second coat of epoxy to the fly. Take you time and ensure the epoxy coats the fly evenly. Rotate the fly in the vice until the epoxy sets.

Front view:

**damage** · 25-01-10

Nice tie
this will work well for the juvie leeries too

/d

**E.T.** · 25-01-10

Rory

That is a killer. That thing will catch Bass, LM Yellows, Kurper ( Smaller Size) and at the coast it will nail most fish.

Awesome Tie!!!!

I tell you what.....Screw Warrenton and lets hit the Coast some time. I am so hungry for a bit of Saltwater action.

**HolyGT** · 25-01-10

Nice fly Rory! There are few materails that will breath life into a a fly as a zonker strip will.

I can imagine that the shad will go mad for this, the epoxy bit will help to make it last longer than 1 or 2 fish as well.

Tied small (up to size 2) with white or olive tail they are great offshore for Kawakawa and other pealgic species eating sprats as well.

**fish** · 25-01-10

Thanks Rory,

Great SBS!

Cheers,

Philip

**JanK** · 25-01-10

Nice one Rory!

Gonna have to tie me a few for my offshore trip next month...

**Herman Jooste** · 25-01-10

Eeiisshh, Makulu Bwana Tier. I'll have 6 please for my Plett trip, end March beginning April.
You know of course that you will be suitably recompensed.