Fly Fishing History Part 2
GRUB FLIES
Grub style salmon flies are probably amongst the earliest of the various types used in the 19 th century; the patterns use a fairly limited number of materials and are simple to tie.
TIPPET GRUB |
Dr. G.Kelson, the father of George M.Kelson, the author of “The Salmon Fly” mentioned previously, allegedly designed this fly in the mid 19th century. Hook size: 1 to 1 ¾ ins. Tag: Round gold tinsel and scarlet seals fur. Butt: Golden pheasant tippet (wound as a hackle) followed by a furnace cock hackle. Body: In two equal halves, each starting with three turns of round silver tinsel followed by green Berlin wool, butted at the joint with similar feathers,and in the same way as the butt. Throat: Same as for the butt, but with larger feathers. Head: Round silver tinsel. |
JUNGLE HORNET
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As far as I am aware, the originator of this fly is unknown, however the use of black and yellow wool in the bodies of salmon flies in the fashion of this fly, is recorded in literature as far back as the mid 17 th century. Hook size: 1 to 1 ¾ ins. Tag: Round silver tinsel. Tail: Scarlet Ibis* in strands and a pair of Jungle Cock feathers (back to back). Butt: A cochybondhu cock hackle. Body: In two equal halves, equal numbers of turns of yellow and black Berlin wool (side by side), each butted at the joint with a cochybondhu cock hackle, veiled above with a pair Jungle Cock feathers (back to back). Throat: A cochybondhu cock hackle. Head: Black varnish. *Substitute: Scarlet Ibis - any white feather such as goose, dyed scarlet.
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HERL WING FLIES
Herl winged salmon flies have been around for many centuries, are normally simple in design, and use the blue-green iridescent “eye” or “sword” feathers from the tail of the peacock.
BEAULY SNOW FLY Hook size: 1 1/2ins. to 1 3/4ins. Body: Pale blue seals fur (dressed sparsely). Ribs: broad flat silver tinsel, and gold twist*. Hackle: A black Heron's hackle* from the third turn of tinsel. Wings: Herl from the “eye” feather of the tail of the peacock. Head: Orange seal's fur. *Substitutes: Gold twist comprises fine round tinsel twisted together and is now difficult to find - use gold oval tinsel instead. Heron is no longer available - try to find a long dark cock saddle hackle, or similar. |
Mr Snowie, it is said, invented this fly in the mid 19 th century. Due to the length of the herl from the “eye” tail feather of the peacock, very large flies could be made using this as a winging material. In the larger sizes, sometimes up to 3 ins. long, the pattern was often tied on “long Dee” hooks, which were formed from fine wire, were longer in the shank than normal, therefore, lighter and easier to cast. The fly was very popular, especially for spring and autumn fishing, and continued in regular use until the mid 20 th century when the introduction of the Waddington and tube flies came about. HINTS/TIPS Body hackles should be tied closely behind the rib tinsel; this allows the fibres to sweep backwards towards the tail of the fly. In cutting the wing strips for both flies (both sides of the “eye” feather, or left and right “sword” feathers), leave the stems attached to the fibres prior to tying them in. Apply a little varnish to the head of the Beauly Snow Fly, and allow it to dry slightly, before dubbing and tying in the orange seal's fur.
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