A Modified Kwan
A Modified Kwan
The Kwan is an excellent flats fly -ready for bonefish, redfish, snook and spotted seatrout. It was developed by Pat Dorsey, a Colorado guide and pro tyer for Umpqua. To my eye, design wise it is a Swiss Army Knife style fly, intended to mimic crabs, shrimp or baitfish, while borrowing from the Borski Slider, the Merkin and the Tarpon Toad. Did I leave anyone out?
When I live in southern Florida, I use the Kwan strictly as a shrimp pattern for redfish. To that end, I tied a modified Kwan, one to suit my needs. Most notably I removed the Merkin type body. It was not needed to mimic a shrimp and was a pain in the ass to tie. Good riddens. Next, I added rubber legs. They are deadly. Love them. But note where I tied them in. Why forward? For two reasons. When tied to the rear, the rubber legs tended to stick to the tail, killing the action. Moreover, the legs were prone to damage, often breaking off after a fish are two. Up front, the legs offered more wiggle, more action. And if they break, they are easy to replace at the vise. How’s them apples?
For the record, the modified Kwan shown above was tied on a size 2# Mustad Big Game hook, 2x/STD. The tail is sand colored Pseudo Hair, striped with a black marker. Those are EP “eyes”, natural. The body is built up tan thread covered by Bills Bodi Braid. Which got a coat of Sally Hansen. The legs are mixed Hareline Root Beer and Grizzly. Wanting it to land softly I typically added no weight. Still I did have some in my box with either tiny dumb bell or bead chain eyes.
PS I forgot the damn weed guard, but I do recommend them. Twenty-pound mono does the trick. And I have at times tied this fly with a pale pink body or a pale green.
