Chuck Kraft was legendary fly tier and guide from Virginia, who published his first fly pattern in 1961. In the early 90s, he wanted to create a streamer that would emulate a Panther Martin spinner, and the Kreelex was the result. He tried it out on a guiding trip to South America, where it was so effective that he knew he had a winner. Originally designed for trout, the pattern has caught just about anything that swims, from bass to redfish to muskies.
In this latest how-to video from Tightline Productions, Tim Flagler shows you a simple way to tie the Kreelex. The most important take-aways are the ways that Tim secures all the materials–dumbbell eyes and slippery flash material–so they stay in place on the hook. The result is a slick, flashy, heavy streamer that draws lots of strikes.
Kreelex
Hook: Long-shank streamer hook (here, a Mustad 79580), size 6.
Thread: White, 140-denier.
Belly: Silver Kreelex Fish Flash or similar.
Eyes: Plated Lead Eyes, medium.
Back: Gold Kreelex Fish Flash or similar.
Adhesive: Head cement.