Supernumerary Rainbow

This fly is a creative pattern that I designed to follow the ROYGBV color schema. The bodywork also was a departure from normal technique as I changed the color of the rib at every joint. This fly is the property of Linneya Mclain who is certainly one of the most blessed souls on the planet to have endured all she has certainly been through (sorry John) . The gift is actually a bribe to continue to let her husband play with all of the feathers, dyes, tinsels, floss, hooks etc. that makes it possible for the rest of us to make these flies.

Kate 4/0

The Kate has always been one of my favorite patterns due to its color scheme and the overall look of the fly. This pattern was one of the ones used for instruction in the Classic Salmon Seminars that I was blessed to be one of the mentors. I think that the body on this fly is simple yet elegant with the floss and the seal fur. I also bet that it would be a great fish catcher.

Floodtide 5/0

The Floodtide is one of my favorite patterns and is also one of the most recognizable due to the long yellow flowing hackle used. The yellow hackle on this fly is a Kori Bustard body feather which is a substitute for what was used in Victorian England. The hook was made by Ronn Lucas who is the premier hookmaker for our hobby. This fly is framed and is the possession of my friend Dave Kline.

Smith 4/0

This is the Smith which is another of the easily recognizable patterns due to the brightly colored joints of yellow, red and blue that separate all of the body segments. This one is in the mail to McIntyre as it has been long overdue to be mailed to him. I hope that the extra hooks I am sending will make up for my tardiness.

Lion 4/0

Shown here is the Lion by Kelson. This pattern is unique as it has a hackle along the tinsel body which is rare and a section at the front consisting of seal fur which is also unique to this fly. This fly is tied on a custom hook I made and the spool shown in the bottom of the picture has antique tinsel on it.

Mar Lodge (Kelson)

This is the Kelson version of the Mar Lodge shown again with a mixed wing. This version varies from the Pryce Tannatt version as it incorporates much more color in the wing.

This is the Pryce Tannatt version of the Mar Lodge fly shown with a mixed wing rather than a married wing. The Mar Lodge was considered one of the best fishing flies and can easily be distinguished by the black section on the silver body.

The Popham is one of the most easily recognizable Salmon flies due to the triple sets of Indian Crow (feather with a black base, orange center and red tips) veilings along the three body sections. This one is tied with substitute Indian Crow feathers but I will be tying another for a friend using the authentic feathers (which cost from $5-8 each) as soon as I can get motivated and have the time to do the pattern justice.

This pattern has always been a favorite of mine also because my family is very close to a family named the Pophams who I cannot help but be reminded of when I see the pattern. I intend to tie one of these for the family in the near future when I can finally make the time to get it done.

Introduction for my "Classic Salmon Fly" blog

This is my blog to share some of the classicsalmon flies that I have tied. Most are based on patterns that were fished for salmon in the late 19th century but are mostly tied for creative purposes by modern tyers (or salmon fly dressers) and more will see the wall than see the water. Some of these flies are called freestyle or artistic which allows the tyer more freedom with the pattern and can be of any style limited only by the tyer's imagination. My purpose for this blog is to share to share some information about the history and construction of these flies along with some of the flies that I have tied.

Shown below is my most recent fly the Bulldawg tied on an 8/0 hook inspired by my alma mater the University of Georgia. Go Dawgs!