Six Classic Wet Flies

 

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Six classic wet fly patterns tied by Paul DiNolo for upcoming "On the Water" article

 

Peter's note: My friend Paul DiNolo has an article being published in an upcoming issue of On The Water magazine.  (See my blog post for additional information.) I was flattered that he asked me to photography the five classic wet flies that will appear in the article.  Below is a little write-up about these flies by Paul.

 

With the exception of the Montreal, all of these flies had their origin in the United Kingdom centuries ago. While they are a far cry from the hatch-specific patterns that are in current use today, they still have a long and successful track record of being effective “fish getters”.

You may find some variations in the pattern recipes from those I have listed here. However, most of the differences are relatively minor, and do not seem to affect their performance. I have had the greatest success when I tie them in size #12. Of course, there will be instances where going up or down one size can really produce a dramatic improvement in results.

While it can be difficult to determine exactly why the fish take them, the trout truly seem to go for them. My best guess is that these patterns act like emerging or egg-laying caddis. Using these old wet fly patterns can also be an easy introduction to fishing with tandem flies. This is a method that was once standard for fly fishers, and is making a strong comeback in recent years.

If you are interested in tracing the histories of these, and many other traditional wet fly patterns, I suggest that you look through the book, “FAVORITE FLIES AND THEIR HISTORIES” by Mary Orvis Marbury published by The Wellfleet Press in 1988. In any event, you should at least give these old flies a try. You might be pleasantly surprised.

~Paul DiNolo

 

Grizzly King


Tying Sequence:

HOOK: Mustad 3906 or equivalent #8 - #16

THREAD:
black nylon 6/0 or 8/0

TAIL:
red hackle fibers

BODY:
green flossRIB: gold tinsel (flat or oval)

HACKLE:
grizzly hen

WING: mallard flank

 

Montreal


Tying Sequence:

HOOK: Mustad 3906 or equivalent #8 - #16

THREAD: black nylon 6/0 or 8/0

TAIL: claret hackle fibers

BODY: claret floss

RIB: gold tinsel (flat or oval)

HACKLE: claret hen

WING: matched turkey quill

 

Professor


Tying Sequence:

HOOK: Mustad 3906 or equivalent #8 - #16

THREAD: black nylon 6/0 or 8/0

TAIL: red hackle fibers

BODY: yellow floss

RIB: gold tinsel (flat or oval)

HACKLE: dark ginger (medium brown) hen

WING: mallard flank

 

Queen of the Waters


Tying Sequence:

HOOK: Mustad 3906 or equivalent #8-#16

THREAD: black nylon 6/0 or 8/0

BODY: orange floss

HACKLE: brown hen (palmered )

WING: mallard flank

 

Royal Coachman



Tying Sequence:

HOOK: Mustad 3906 or equivalent #8-#16

THREAD: black nylon 6/0 or 8/0

TAIL: golden pheasant tippets

BODY: peacock herl

MIDDLE JOINT: red floss

HACKLE: dark brown hen

WING: matched white duck quill

 

Alder Fly



Tying Sequence:

HOOK: Mustad 3906 or equivalent #8- #16

THREAD: black nylon 6/0 or 8/0

TAG: flat gold tinsel (optional)

BODY: peacock herl

HACKLE: black hen

WING: matched turkey quill

 

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