McClain's Fancy
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Brown
Tail - Coastal blacktail deer hair
Ribbing - Single strand of brown yarn
Body - Dubbed with yellow lamb's wool
Wing - Coastal blacktail deer hair tied over the body
Author's Note
Don McClain of Portland, Oregon, originated this pattern for summer-run fish. This fly should be sparsely dressed and fished with a floating line in the surface film.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Feather Merchant
Hooks - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tail - Golden pheasant tippet barbs
Butt - Dubbed with red lamb's wool
Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel over peacock only
Body - Peacock herl
Hackle: Orange tied on as a collar and tied back and down
Wing - Red calf tail tied over the body
Cheeks - Jungle cock eyes or substitute
Author's Note
Ted Trueblood originated this fly in the early I 960s as a tribute to Wayne "Buz" Buszek and his Feather River Trading Company. The gesture proved to be more than that; many fish have since surrendered to it.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Feather Merchant
Tail - Golden pheasant tippets
Butt - Red uni stretch
Body - Peacock herl
Throat - Orange hackle fibers
Wing - Red calf tail
Steelhead Fly Tying Manual - Tom Light & Neal Humphreys (1979)
McLeods' Skykomish Sunrise
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Red
Tip - Oval silver tinsel
Tail - Scarlet red hackle barbs
Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel
Body - Red chenille
Hackle - Scarlet red and yellow tied on as a collar mixed and tied back and down
Wing - White calf tail tied over the body
Author's Note
Ken and George McLeod of Seattle, Washington, originated this pattern in the 1940s.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Skykomish Yellow
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Red
Tip - Oval silver tinsel
Tail - Scarlet red hackle barbs
Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel
Body - Yellow chenille
Hackle - Scarlet red and yellow tied on as a collar mixed and tied back and down
Wing - White calf tail tied over the body
Author's Note
Ken and George McLeod of Seattle, Washington, originated this pattern in the 1940s.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Odds & Ends
Hook - Standard wet/nymph fly style, size 4
Thread - Black
Tail - Red hackle fibers
Rib - Flat silver tinsel, wide, 1 long wrap
Body - Golden yellow wool
Wing: White bucktail
Hackle - Dark brown
Author's Note
Bill MacArthur
Fly Patterns of Canada - Paul Marriner
Thompson River
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tail - Scarlet red and orange hackle barbs mixed
Body - Flat gold tinsel
Hackle - Scarlet red and orange tied on as a collar mixed and tied back and down
Wing - Red bucktail tied over the body, with an over wing of natural brown bucktail
Author's Note
Walt Johnson of Seattle, Washington, originated this pattern in the 1960s.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
McKenzie Sapphire #1
Mike Brooks
Steelhead
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tag - Flat silver tinsel & yellow floss
Tail - Blue hackle fibers
Ribbing - Flat silver tinsel
Body - Black seals fur or substitute
Hackle - Blue
Wing - Underwing of mixed red, yellow, light blue and green bucktail; soft white hair over
Cheeks - Jungle cock (optional)
McKenzie Sapphire #2
Mike Brooks
Steelhead
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tag - Flat silver tinsel & yellow floss
Tail - Blue hackle fibers
Ribbing - Flat silver tinsel
Body - Black seals fur or substitute
Hackle - Blue
Wing - Underwing of mixed red, yellow, light blue and green bucktail; black squirrel tail over
Cheeks - Jungle cock (optional)
The Complete Illustrated Directory of Salmon Flies - Chris Mann
Maxwell Purple
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tip - Flat silver tinsel
Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel
Body - Dubbed with purple lamb's wool
Wing - Purple neck hackles tied Matuka-style
Hackle - Purple tied on as a collar and tied back
Author's Note
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Marrietta
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Orange
Tip - Flat silver tinsel
Tail - Scarlet red hackle barbs
Body - Fluorescent fire orange chenille
Hackle - Fluorescent orange tied on as a collar and tied back and down
Wing - Natural brown bucktail tied over the body
Author's Note
Don Redfern originated this pattern during the mid-1950s for British Columbia waters.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Thompson Special
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Orange
Tail - Brown calf tail
Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel
Body - Dubbed with black lamb's wool
Hackle - Grizzly tied on as a collar and tied back and down
Wing - Brown calf tail tied over the body, with a small bunch of black Flashabou Accent tied on top
Author's Note
Bob York originated this pattern.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Park
Hook - Single salmon
Tread - Black.
Tip - Flat silver tinsel.
Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel.
Body - Black chenille.
Hackle - Yellow tied on as a collar and tied back and down.
Wing - Black Monga ringtail tied over the body*
Author's Note
Mike Kennedy of Lake Oswego, Oregon, originated this pattern. It is a variation of an Atlantic salmon fly pattern.
*Monga ringtail is practically no longer available, so substitute with dyed black squirrel tail
Terry Hellekson. Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Parmachene Belle
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Red
Tail - Scarlet red and yellow hackle barbs mixed
Ribbing - Oval gold tinsel
Body - Dubbed with fluorescent yellow rabbit fur
Wing - White bucktail tied over the body, with an over wing of red bucktail.
Hackle - Scarlet red and yellow tied on as a collar mixed and tied back
Author's Note
This is a variation of an old American wet-fly pattern.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Max Canyon, Dark
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tail - Orange Flashabou Accent
Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel
Body - Rear third, dubbed with fluorescent orange rabbit fur; the front two-thirds, dubbed with black rabbit fur
Wing - Black calf tail tied over the body
Topping - Black Flashabou Accent
Hackle - Black hen hackle tied on as a collar and tied back
Author's Note
A variation of the original Max Canyon that is productive for winter-run fish.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Max Canyon
Hook - 36890 Mustad, Sizes 6-2
Thread - 3/0 black monocord
Tail - Small mixture of orange and white calf tail
Body - Rear 1/3 orange, front 2/3 black wool
Rib - Gold or silver oval tinsel
Hackle - Black saddle
Wing - 2/3 white and 1/3 orange calf tail
Author's Note
In the early 1970’s I developed this fly for Steelhead fishing on the Deschutes River.
http://www.flyfishingwithdougstewart.com/2013/10/tying-and-fishing-max-canyon.html
Dark Max
Hook - Mustad 36890,
sizes 4-6
Thread - 3/0 Black
Monocord
Tip - Flat gold Mylar
tinsel
Rib - Medium gold oval
tinsel
Body - 1/3 orange
& 2/3 black wool or yarn
Hackle - Black Saddle
Wing - 2/3 black calf
tail with 1/3 orange calf tail on top
Author’s Note
The Dark Max was created by Larry Piatt. He wanted to make
the Max Canyon a little darker and give it a lower profile. He tied in a flat
gold Mylar tip at the hook bend in place of the orange and white calf tail.
Then he replaced the white calf tail underwing with black calf tail. This fly
is very effective, especially in off color water.
http://www.flyfishingwithdougstewart.com/2015/08/story-behind-dark-max-canyon-steelhead.html
The Stewart
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tail - Golden pheasant tippets
Ribbing - Oval gold tinsel
Body - Black wool
Hackle - Black
Wing - Orange over black calf tail
Author’s Note
The Stewart was created by Marty Sherman. He wanted to tie a
fly with the same color scheme as the Max Canyon but a little darker. He
replaced the orange and white tail with golden pheasant tippets, made the body
all black with gold tinsel and made the underwing black instead of white. Marty
first called it the Dark Max, but he found out that Larry Piatt had already
claimed that name. He thought the fly should somehow bear my name so he called
it The Stewart.
http://www.flyfishingwithdougstewart.com/2014/03/the-max-canyon-fly-family.html
Lady Hamilton
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tail - Red goose quill section
Ribbing - Silver embossed tinsel
Body - Red floss
Wing - Orange over white bucktail
Head - Black tying thread, with painted black on white eyes
Author's Note
Ralph Wahl, early 1940's
Classic Steelhead Flies - John Shewey
Lord Hamilton
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tail - Red goose quill section
Ribbing - Silver embossed tinsel
Body - Yellow floss
Wing - Red over white bucktail
Head - Black tying thread, with painted black on white eyes
Author's Note
Ralph Wahl, early 1940's
Classic Steelhead Flies - John Shewey
Lady Godiva
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Red
Tip - Flat silver tinsel
Tail - Scarlet red and yellow hackle barbs mixed
Ribbing - Flat silver tinsel
Body - Dubbed with white lamb's wool
Wing - White bucktail tied over the body, with an over wing of red bucktail
Lady Godiva, Orange
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Orange.
Tail - Orange hackle barbs
Butt - Orange chenille
Ribbing - Flat silver tinsel
Body - Dubbed with fluorescent orange lamb's wool
Wing - White bucktail tied over the body, with an over wing of orange bucktail
Cheeks - Jungle cock eyes or substitute
Author's Note
Ralph Olson of Bellingham, Washington, originated the two preceding patterns.
The orange is also known as the Orange Wing.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Kispiox Bright
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tag - Oval silver tinsel
Tail - Red calf tail with a few strands of yellow krystal flash
Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel
Body - Purple chenille
Throat - Hot orange hackle fibers
Wing - Yellow over white bucktail
The Complete Illustrated Dictionary of Salmon flies - Chris Mann
Benn's Coachman
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black.
Tail - Crimson red hackle barbs
Ribbing - Gold wire, counter wrapped
Body - Peacock herl
Throat - Brown hen hackle
Wing - Red over white calf tail
Author's Note
John S. Benn of San Francisco, California, originated this pattern in the late 1800s.
The original pattern had red and white goose quill sections for the wings.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
American River Special, Dark
Steelhead & Trout
Hook - Standard wet/nymph hook, size 8-10
Thread - Black.
Ribbing - Heavy black thread
Body - Dubbed with dark brown rabbit fur or yarn
Hackle - Furnace hen hackle tied on as a collar, two turns only, and tied back
Head - Black ostrich herl
American River Special, Light
Steelhead & Trout
Hook - Standard wet/nymph hook, size 8-10
Thread - Black
Ribbing - Heavy black thread
Body - Dubbed with light olive rabbit fur or yarn
Hackle - Natural black hen hackle tied on as a collar, two turns only, and tied back
Head - Black ostrich herl
Author's Note
Joe Shirshac of Sacramento, California, developed both of the above patterns.
In addition to the steelhead population they were intended for,
they are effective for resident trout in the American River system and other streams as well.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Jungle Dragon
Hook - Single Salmon
Thread - Black
Tip - Embossed silver tinsel
Tail - Golden pheasant tippet barbs
Ribbing - Embossed silver tinsel over front half of body only
Body - Rear half, embossed silver tinsel; the front half, dubbed with fluorescent red rabbit fur
Hackle - Badger tied on as a collar and tied back and down
Wing - Gray squirrel tail tied over the body
Cheeks - Jungle cock eyes or substitute
Author's Note
William Hosie originated this pattern in 1943.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Jennie Lind
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Fluorescent red
Tail - Purple hen hackle barbs
Ribbing: Oval gold tinsel
Body - Dubbed with fluorescent yellow rabbit fur
Wing - Purple marabou tied over the body, with strands of red flashabou accent tied along the sides
Hackle - Fluorescent red tied on as a collar and tied back
Author's Note
This pattern was developed from an old British wet-fly pattern of the same name.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Incredible Hulk
Hook – Single salmon
Thread – Chartreuse
Tail – Peacock sword fibers
Ribbing – Brown uni stretch
Body – Fluorescent green uni stretch and peacock herl
Wing – White calf tail
Hackle – Dyed green guinea hen
Internet Photo
Island Full Steel Ahead
Michael Garnier Originator
Hook - Single Salmon
Thread - Black
Tag - Gold tinsel
Tail - Blue floss or Golden pheasant crest dyed blue
Body - Blue floss
Rib - Round or oval gold tinsel and red micro chenille in back of the tinsel
Wing - White calf tail
Collar - Guinea followed by blue hackle
Build the Irish Car Bomb with black thread on a No. 3-5 gold Alec Jackson hook. Use red hen fibers for the tail. Tie in oval gold tinsel and create the body with chartreuse floss and synthetic black dubbing. Rib with the tinsel. Tie a wing with black deer or elk hair. Add Krystal Flash above the wing. Wrap a long black hackle as an underlay then wrap a dyed chartreuse guinea hackle to finish.
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