#252 - BYR Smelt

#252 BYR Smelt - Don Bastian

Tied by: Don Bastian
Originated by: Don Bastian

Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek Rangeley streamer hook 6xl #1
Thread: Brown
Tail: Red hackle fibers
Body: Flat silver tinsel
Ribbing: Embossed silver tinsel
Throat: White hackle fibers
Wing: 2 silver Dr. blue hackles flanked by yellow hackle flanked by red hackle
Shoulder: Mallard flank dyed olive
Eye: Jungle cock nail
Head: Brown

Notes: Don created the BYR Smelt in March 2012 and bases the colors of the fly on Carrie Stevens' Silver Doctor. The embossed tinsel ribbing over the silver tinsel body was used be different, and to add more flash the the colorful pattern. A white throat was used to bring in more of the baitfish look as is the fishy looking mallard shoulder. Don kept the dressing somewhat sparse, opting out of the bucktail belly and gratuitous use of peacock herl. The Blue, Yellow and Red colors found in the wing mimic the iridescence of smelt scales.