Friday, October 31, 2025
Chappie
Carter's Dixie
Carter's Dixie
Hooks - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tail - Yellow calf tail
Body - Oval gold tinsel
Hackle - Scarlet red tied on as a collar and tied back and down.
Wing - White bucktail tied over the body
Author's Note
Jim Pray of Eureka, California, originated nated this pattern in 1934 and later named it after Harley Carter, a client and friend from Berkeley, California.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Carter Fly
Carter Fly
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tail - Golden pheasant crest feather
Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel
Body - Red chenille
Hackle - Scarlet red tied on as a collar and tied back and down
Wing - Black bucktail tied over the body
Author's Note
This fly is of unknown origin, but Harley Carter of Berkley, California, is responsible for popularizing it.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Carson
Carson
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Black
Tail - Golden pheasant tippet barbs
Body - Peacock herl with a red floss center band
Hackle - Brown tied on as a collar and tied back and down
Wing - White bucktail tied over the body, with an over wing of a small bunch of red bucktail
Cheeks - Jungle cock
Author's Note
Sumner Carson of Eureka, California, originated this pattern around 1900. His original flies had wings of married red and white duck quill sections. About 1935 this was changed to hair wings. This was a period strongly influenced by Jim Pray, when a number of patterns made the transition.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson
Caldwell
Caldwell
Hook - Single salmon
Thread - Fluorescent red
Tip - Flat silver tinsel
Tail - Fluorescent red hackle barbs
Ribbing - Flat silver tinsel
Body - Dubbed with florescent hot pink lamb's wool
Hackle - Fluorescent red
Wing - White over red bucktail
Author's Note
Louie Caldwell originated this pattern.
Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson