Recent comments

I have had an extensive exchange of views about this fly on an other BB.
In the process I have done further research into its origins and development by other fly dressers.
The original version had a red floss body ribbed with peacock herl but John Kennedy of the South Uist Estates in the Western Isles (Hebrides) improved and strengthened it by ribbing a herl body with red wool. Stan Headley included a fluo floss ribbing and a bottle green peacock hackle as opposed to the metallic blue of the original. It has been very successful on the large English reservoirs and the big Highland and Orkney lochs in a loch-style team. This is taken from John Roberts 'Dictionary of Trout Flies'. The info above is from there.
Here is the recipe given:-
Hook:- 10 - 12, or long shank 12 for salmon and sea-trout.
Thread:- Black.
Butt:- One turn medium flat gold.
Tag:- Fluorescent Red Wool.
Body:- Two strands of Bronze Peacock herl, one wound up the shank and one wound down.
ribbed with four strands of GloBrite #5 (Fire Orange) twisted.
Hackle:- Bottle Green Peacock neck feather (one and a half times the body length).
A bolstering black hen hackle may be added to support the peacock hackle.
This I believe is the Stan Headley version which has been very successful.
Larger versions on low-water salmon hooks are also used as single flies.
So, there you are, blue or green hackles, they are all "Goat's Toes".
I hope this gives some ideas.
I have since realised that this is the version I dressed, excepting I used the metallic blue.

The winding and counter-winding of the peacock herl, and using flat fluo floss strands, twisted, instead of wool for the rib, were, I think, Stan Headley of Orkney, one of the best and most original fly-dressers in the UK, innovations.
I like the peacock herl technique, it gives a very nice even body and combined with the twisted flat floss strands of the rib produces a very nice body. I don't think the green or blue hackle makes a lot of difference, try both.
ps I hope everyone is OK over there in New England after that terrible storm.

Submitted by ray on

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I enjoy salmon fishing so much and your videos are just great makes me sick and envy,i havent had much chance this season in NB canada because of work but watching theses clips makes me want it more next year .Thank u for sharing and keep it up i love it.Ray

Submitted by Forälestrepper on

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Got the book from Coch-y-Bonddu Books - best book on the subject I saw. I will try some of the recipes this winter and dye my own fur and feathers.

TIna,

The price is about 90 UK£. You can see more and find a link to the post about Oliver's DVD's flies and prints by clicking the image or going here.

Martin

Submitted by Tina Olander on

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Hi!!

I want to know how much the picture of Oliver Edwards costs???
Which is illustratet at this side to the left???

Love from Denmark

Tina Olander

Submitted by geoff sanders on

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Martin, some interesting patterns. Our sea trout season is coming to an end in the uk ( end of this month! ) Have just tied up some NEW for next season/year, not sure how to attach/download to you, but if you wish to see them go to www.thesomersetangler.co.uk, "click" on FLIES then click on sea trout flies, the tying is for a single front hook, but i prefer a "double" front hook.

Hello Rick,

Thank you for the nice words about my hopper pattern.
I am very interested in your new book, you can use the pattern for your book, I will give you my full permission.
If you need further information or photo's you can reach me by e-mail . biesot@octrooibureau.nl

Best regards ,

Tom Biesot.

Submitted by Steve L. Sebago Lake on

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Mike ,
That's a beautiful pattern!!!!!!
We miss you here in Maine..
Keep up the nice work..

Submitted by Charles Mann on

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Michael: The color combination of the Brook Trout is wonderful. I love the painting and the grey ghost is picture is great. Our they available forsell

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