Kreelex Fly
Kreelex Fly
This variation of Bob Clouser’s Deep Minnow fly was created by Chuck Craft and is known in our house as the ‘Christmas Tinsel’ fly. Designed originally for targeting trout, over time it has proven effective for catching numerous fresh and saltwater species. By simply changing the materials to meet the specific conditions the Kreelex fly can become an effective attractor or a ‘hatch matching’ baitfish pattern.

This fly can be tied in a wide assortment of colour combinations, in fact you are really only limited by your imagination and the array of Kreelex colours available. Some of the more popular colour combinations include copper/gold, pearl/green, white/blue and gold/silver/copper.

Our ‘Christmas Tinsel’ a.k.a. Kreelex Fly story:
We had traveled to the Central American country of Belize to fish the numerous flats for bonefish, permit and tarpon. The fly fishing had been beyond our expectations, however, after twenty-one straight days of standing on the casting deck of a flats skiff we were in need of a vacation.

That is how we ended up at the Chaa Creek eco-lodge with plans to relax in the infinity pool, take educational tours on jungle trails and stalk the elusive Toucan from a deck chair. Things were going according to plan until we started to hear rumours that the Macal River, which flows right past the lodge, contained fish. Not just any fish but exotic, mysterious fish that we both very much wanted to add to our lifetime species caught lists.

This was all well and good except the river was in full spring flood due to weeks of rain in the Maya Highlands. The Macal River was flowing fast and was up in the bankside vegetation when we first went to inquire about fishing it using one of the lodge’s rental canoes. We were told by the staff that the river did indeed contain numerous fish including some large specimens of Common Tuba (a.k.a. Redhead Cichlid, Cichlasoma synspilum); but “they would not eat flies”. With the river dangerously high we put away our paddling gear and went back up to the main lodge to relax. Tomorrow would be another day.

Several days, of gradually decreasing water flows, later we felt brave enough to get in a canoe and float/fish the Macal River for the first time.  The river was still high, dirty and swift enough that one person would have to constantly paddle while the other fished. As I was the stronger paddler, Cheryl would be the angler; but what fly to use? She opened her fly box and pulled out a bright sparkly streamer. “How about this Christmas Tinsel fly” she said? Sure, why not, the fish might be able to see it in the murky water, it had enough weight to get it down in the fast current and besides the lodge staff said these fish could only be caught with bait.

To make a long story short, common tuba were caught including some of the largest specimens that the staff had every seen. Cheryl was an instant fishing celebrity and the staff were very anxious to get their hands on the new secret weapon; the Kreelex a.k.a. Christmas Tinsel Fly.
Common Tuba caught on the Christmas Tinsel (Kreelex) Fly

Materials
Hook: Mustad R73-9671 - size 4
Thread: Ultra 140 - yellow
Weight: 3/16” Dazl-Eye - gold
Tail: Kreelex Fish Flash - silver, copper, gold   
Belly: Kreelex Fish Flash - silver, copper, gold   
Wing: Kreelex Fish Flash - silver, copper, gold
Adhesive: Zap-A-Gap and Loon Outdoors UV Clear Fly Finish - thin.
Miscellaneous: Permanent marker – brown or copper
  
Tying Instructions
Step 1. Insert the hook in the vise and attach the thread.
Step 2. Place a drop of Zap-A-Gap on the thread wraps and then figure eight wrap the dumbbell eyes to the top of the hook (This fly rides hook point up). End with thread behind the eyes.
Step 3. Wrap a mixed colour clump (6 silver strands, 6 copper strands, 6 gold strands) of Kreelex Fish Flash around the thread (‘fold over’ method) and tie down behind the eyes. Wrap back over the flash stopping at the bend of the hook. Next wrap the thread forward to the point in front of the eyes, making sure to cover all of the material along the hook shank.
Step 4.Trim the tail flash so it extends past the bend of the hook about one and a quarter the length of the hook shank.
Step 5. Select another mixed colour clump (12 silver strands, 12 copper strands, 12 gold strands) of Kreelex Fish Flash, wrap it around the thread (‘fold over’ method) and tie down in front of the eyes. Then wrap the thread to the point behind the eyes and again tie the flash down behind the eyes creating the belly of the fly. Move the thread back in front of the eyes.
Step 6. Trim the belly material so it extends past the bend of the hook about a quarter the length of the hook shank.
Step 7. Invert the hook in the vise (if your vise rotates, then rotate). Select another mixed colour clump (12 silver strands, 12 copper strands, 12 gold strands) of Kreelex Fish Flash, wrap it around the thread (‘fold over’ method) and tie down in front of the eyes.
Step 8. Trim the wing material so it extends past the bend of the hook about a quarter the length of the hook shank and is equal to the length of the belly.
Step 9. Build up a thread head in front of the eyes and whip finish. Using the permanent marker colour the top of the head.
Step 10.  Cement the head or coat with Loon Outdoors UV Clear Fly Finish.
Your Christmas Tinsel Fly is now complete and you are ready to head out On The Water!

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