Saturday, November 8, 2025

Gray & Green Drake


Gray Drake

Hooks - Single salmon

Thread - Black

Tail - Barred mallard barbs

Ribbing - Heavy black thread

Body - Dubbed with white lamb's wool

Wing - Gray squirrel tail tied over the body

Hackle - Grizzly tied on as a collar and tied back

Author's Note

This pattern and the Green Drake were used on a regular basis for late summer and fall runs of steelhead on the Trinity and Klamath rivers during the 1940s and 1950s. The wing on the Gray Drake originally called for silver monkey and when that was no longer available I believe most anglers reverted to other patterns. My father and I simply substituted California gray squirrel tail for the wing and had equal success. Later eastern gray squirrel was also found to be acceptable. The wing on the Green Drake called for black monkey; however, dyed black squirrel tail can always be substituted.

Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson


Green Drake

Hooks - Single salmon 

Thread - Black

Tail - Barred teal barb

Ribbing - Heavy black thread

Body - Dubbed with olive lamb's wool

Wing - Dyed black squirrel tail tied over the body

Hackle - Brown tied on as a collar and tied back


Guinea Egg



Guinea Egg

Hook - Single salmon

Thread - Black

Ribbing - Oval silver tinsel

Body - Rear three-fourths, medium green floss; the front fourth, fluorescent red chenille

Hackle - Guinea fowl tied on as a collar and tied back

Author's Note

Jeffery Yax of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, originated this pattern.

Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson

Gray Catt

Grey Catt
Variation*

Hook - Single salmon

Thread - Brown

Tag - Flat gold Tinsel

Tail - Dyed red hackle fibers*

Ribbing - Oval gold tinsel

Body - Uni yarn tan*

Hackle - Mottled hen hackle

Wing - Gray squirrel tail

Original Recipe


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD9butua6go

Green Butt Skunk


Green Butt Skunk

Hook - Single Salmon

Thread - Black

Tag - Flat silver tinsel

Tail - Red hackle fibers

Butt - Fluorescent green chenille

Ribbing - Silver flat or oval tinsel

Body - Black chenille

Hackle - Black

Wing - White calf tail

Author's Note

Dan Callahan, circa 1975

Classic Steelhead Flies - John Shewey

Gold Demon



Gold Demon

Hooks - Single Salmon

Thread - Orange

Tail - Golden pheasant crest 

Body - Oval gold tinsel 

Hackle - Orange tied on as a collar and tied back

Wing - Fox squirrel tail tied over the body

This fly was probably brought into the United States from New Zealand during the 1930s. 

Jim Pray is largely responsible for popularizing it out of his little shop in Eureka, California.

Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson

Friday, November 7, 2025

Ward's Wasp

Ward's Wasp

Hook - Single salmon 

Thread - Black

Tail - Golden pheasant tippets

Ribbing - Flat silver tinsel

Butt - Yellow chenille

Body - Black chenille

Hackle - Yellow

Wing - Brown bucktail

Author's Note

Ed Ward Originator

Steelhead Flies - John Shewey



Funfly


Funfly

Hook - Single salmon, size 2-6

Thread - Red

Tag - Copper wire

Tail - Fluorescent red marabou

Butt - Black ostrich herl

Ribbing - Copper wire

Body - Fluorescent yellow chenille

Wing - Gray squirrel tail

Collar - Black hen

Throat - Eurasian jay or dyed blue guinea fowl

Author's Note

A Peter Dunne pattern, which he says is loved by grisle, during the early morningor evening hours of a summer's day. In the summerof 1979, Peter took four silvery leapersin an hour, hence the name.

Modern Atlantic Salmon Flies - Paul C Marriner

Gladiator


Gladiator

Hook – Single salmon

Thread - Black

Tail – Dyed red hackle fibers

Rib - Peacock herl

Body - Green floss

Hackle - Grizzly

Wing - Grey Squirrel tail

Author's Note

Nick Gayeski originated this pattern. The ribbing on this pattern consists of two strands of peacock herl twisted for strength into a rope around the tying thread before being wrapped forward.

Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson

Frank's Fly



Frank's Fly

Hooks - Single salmon

Thread - Fluorescent orange

Body - Fluorescent orange chenille

Hackle - Fluorescent orange tied palmer-style over the body

Wing - White calf tail tied over the body

Topping - Pearl krystal flash

Author's Note

Frank Moore of Anchorage, Alaska, originated this pattern.

Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art - Terry Hellekson

Forrester


Forrester

Hook- Single salmon

Thread – Orange

Tail – Orange calf tail

Body – 2/3 orange chenille, 1/3 black chenille

Wing – Orange calf tail

Hackle – Orange calf tail

Author's Note

Originated in 1979 by George Richey for Michigan's spring fishing.

Fish Flies Volume Two – Terry Hellekson