Fly Tying Inventory
Pan Handler Hobo Spey
A practical, buggy spey-style tube fly designed by Red's Fly Shop guide Hayden Williams for steelhead on Pacific Northwest rivers. The Pan Handler Hobo Spey is built for simplicity and versatility, featuring a subtle, natural profile that excels on pressured fish. Tied on a tube, it allows quick hook changes and consistent swimming action. Designed to be swung through steelhead runs, the fly's sparse materials provide lifelike movement without overwhelming spooky fish.
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Materials
Aqua Flies plastic or aluminum tube, 1-1.5 inches
Black or burgundy 6/0 (140 denier)
Flat tinsel or holographic tinsel, gold or silver
Dubbing in black, purple, or olive — sparse and picked out
Spey hackle — blue eared pheasant, heron substitute, or schlappen
Marabou or Arctic fox in contrasting color with sparse flash
Guinea fowl or teal flank feather
Small tungsten or brass cone for tube (optional)
How to Tie the Pan Handler Hobo Spey
- 1
Step 1
Mount the tube in a tube fly adapter in the vise. If using a cone, slide it onto the tube first. Start thread and build a small thread dam.
A junction tube (silicone) connects the hook to the tube — have it ready for finishing.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in flat tinsel at the rear and wrap 3-4 turns to create a bright tag.
- 3
Step 3
Dub a sparse body forward using a dubbing loop, covering about 2/3 of the tube. Pick out the fibers for a buggy look.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in a spey hackle and make 2-3 sweeping wraps, stroking fibers rearward with each turn.
Fewer, well-placed hackle wraps create more natural movement than a dense collar.
- 5
Step 5
Tie in a sparse wing of marabou or Arctic fox, extending just past the tube. Add 2-3 strands of flash to each side.
- 6
Step 6
Wrap a guinea fowl or teal collar in front of the wing — 1-2 turns, fibers swept back.
- 7
Step 7
Build a small head, whip finish, and apply head cement. Attach junction tube and trailing hook.
The tube allows you to swap hooks quickly when they dull — a huge advantage on rocky PNW rivers.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3h5p3c3Jnk
Credit: Red's Fly Shop