Flytying New and Old Too
A Collection of Flies for Atlantic Salmon & Steelhead
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Governor
Friday, February 27, 2026
Smitty's Secret
Smitty's Secret
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tip - Flat silver tinsel
Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel
Body - Black floss
Hackle - Fluorescent orange tied on as a collar and tied back and down
Wing - White monga ringtail* tied low over the body
Head - Black with a band of orange chenille tied in at the base of the wing
Author's Note
Wendell Smith of Pasadena, Newfoundland, originated this pattern.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
*Monga ringtail (aka ringtail, bassarisk) is virtually non existent for fly tying. Use a suitable substitute.
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Watson's Fancy
Watson's Fancy
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tip - Oval silver tinsel
Tail - Golden pheasant crest feather
Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel
Body - Rear half, red floss; the front half, black floss
Hackle - Black tied on as a collar and tied back and down
Wing - Dyed black squirrel tail tied low over the body
Cheeks - Jungle cock eyes or substitute
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Yellow Killer
Yellow Killer
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tip - Flat silver tinsel
Tail - Orange hackle barbs
Body - Black chenille
Hackle - Orange hen hackle barbs tied in at the throat
Wing - Dyed yellow monga ringtail* tied low over the body and extending to the end of the hook
Author's Note
Ches Loughlin of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, originated this pattern in 1971.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
*Monga ringtail (aka ringtail, bassarisk) is virtually non existent for fly tying. Use a suitable substitute. I used bucktail.
Monday, February 23, 2026
Yellow Duce
Yellow Duce
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tail - Black bucktail hairs tied long
Ribbing - Heavy black thread
Body - Pale yellow floss
Hackle - Yellow tied on as a collar and tied back and down
Wing - Green bucktail tied low over the body, with an over wing of dyed yellow gray squirrel tail
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Garrison
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tip - Flat silver tinsel
Ribbing - Heavy black thread reverse wrapped
Body - Peacock herl
Wing - Black moose hair tied heavy and flared over the body
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Friday, February 20, 2026
Lady Atherton
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tip - Lower half, oval silver tinsel; the upper half, fluorescent orange floss
Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel
Body - Dubbed with black lamb's wool
Hackle - Black tied on as a collar and tied back and down
Wing - Black moose hair tied low over the body
Cheeks - Jungle cock eyes or substitute
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
