By Bob Petti

There is no doubt that some form of mottling or striations add to the effectiveness of many patterns, whether streamers or not. Materials such as woodduck flank, teal, and hare's ear fur, all rely heavily on their coloration and mottling when applied to fly tying. Above all others stands the grizzly hackle. Such barred feathers are used on every manner of fly, from the tiniest of trout flies such as the Griffith's Gnat to large saltwater streamers such as Dan Blanton's Sar-Mul-Mac.

The use of grizzly hackle, both natural and dyed versions, in trout streamers has a long and rich history. Flies such as the Gray Squirrel Silver Streamer by Ray Bergman or the Witch flies by Carrie Stevens serve to illustrate the popularity of these feathers in the early days. From bright attractors such as the Perkins Wonder given to us by Bryant Freeman, to realistic imitations such as Lew Oatman's Brook Trout, the grizzly hackle is used in any number of ways. If someone were to ask one of those cliche "If you could only have ..." questions about fly tying materials, grizzly hackles would certainly show up on the vast majority of answers.

The flies shown in this feature were tied by the members of Bob Skehan's "New England Streamers" mailing list. It is the intent of this feature to never be closed. All readers are welcome to submit streamers and patterns listing for inclusion. It is my hope that over time we can grow a representative sampling of historic and contemporary trout streamers that highlight the varied uses of these magnificent feathers.

Bob Petti
December 2000

Perkins Wonder Tied by Bryant Freeman Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek, 8xl #1 Tail: Red Hackle Barbs Body: Flat Silver Tinsel Rib: Gold Floss w/ Gold Twist on either side of floss Belly: Lt. Blue Polar Bear followed by White Polar Bear Throat: Yellow Hackle, Golden Pheasant Crest curving upwards, the Black Hackle Wing: Light Green Polar Bear followed by four grizzly hackles dyed purple. Shoulder: Jungle Cock Topping: Amherst Pheasant Crest followed by Golden Pheasant Crest	Gray Squirrel Silver Streamer Tied by Bob Petti Hook: Mustad 3665A, #6 Body: Flat Silver Tinsel Rib: Oval Silver Tinsel Underwing: Gray Squirrel Tail Wing: Grizzly Saddle Hackles Throat: Red Hackle Barbs Eyes: White w/ Black Pupils Note: This is a contemporary version of Ray Bergman's classic fly. Flat tinsel with a rib replaces embossed, red hackle replaces dyed golden pheasant crest, and painted eyes replace jungle cock.
Sportsmen Say Tied by Chris Del Plato Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek, 8xl Body: Flat Silver Tinsel Rib: Oval Silver Tinsel Rib: Yellow Bucktail Wing: White Bucktail, Peacock Herl, Grizzly Hackle Cheek: Jungle Cock Head: Black	Sander's Streamer Tied by Chris Leonard Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek, 6xl Body: Medium Flat Silver Tinsel Wing: A very small bunch of white bucktail (about 25 hairs) extending past the bend, over which are four grizzly saddle hackles, slightly longer than the bucktail. Cheek: Jungle Cock Head: Black
Dusky Smelt Tied by Scott Daskiewich Hook: Mustad 94720, #4 Tag: Flat Silver Tinsel Body: White Close Rib: Flat Silver TiInsel Throat: Peacock Herl, above hook, white bucktail below Wing: Blue hackle inside, grizzly hackle outsise Shoulder: Mallard Flank Cheek: Jungle Cock	Bill Special Tied by Robb Nicewonger Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek, 6xl Body: Flat Silver Tinsel Belly: White Bucktail, sparse Wing: Grizzly Hackle Shoulder: Silver Pheasant Cheek: Jungle Cock
Cameron #2 Tied by Lindsey Grandison Hook: Mustad 94720 Thread: Olive Tag: Flat Gold Tinsel Tail: Peacock Sword Body: Orange Floss Rib: Narrow Flat Gold Tinsel Throat: White bucktail and Golden Pheasant Crest curving upward Wing: Sparse Orange Bucktail, Six Strands of Peacock Herl extending beyond tail, Golden Pheasant Crest curving down over peacock, two bright green saddle hackles under two olive saddle hackles under two grizzly saddle hackles dyed yellow. Cheek: Peacock Neck Feather Head: Olive w/ Yellow Eye and Red Pupil Notes: This fly was originated by Ellis Hatch of Rochester, NH. Pattern taken from "Forgotten Flies".	Stealth Tied by Stan Jakubaszek Hook: 6x Streamer Tag: Copper Tinsel Tail: Cerise Marabou Body: Kraft Cord, Black and Silver Throat: Cerise Marabou Wing: Grizzy (2), long Cheek: Red Golden Pheasant Body Feather
Pink Lady Tied by Wes Autio Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8xl Tag: Flat Silver Tinsel Body: Pink Floss Rib: Flat Silver Tinsel Belly: White Bucktail Throat: Pink Schlappen Underwing: 4-6 Peacock Herls Wing: Four Grizzly Hackles Shoulder: Teal Flank Cheek: Jungle Cock Head: Black with red (or pink) band Notes: Originated by Carrie Stevens. Source, Hilyard and Hilyard, Schmookler and Sils	Grizzly King Tied by Wes Autio Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8xl Thread: Black Tag: Flat Gold Tinsel Tail: Two matched section of red goose shoulder (or duck quill) Body: Green Silk Floss Rib: Flat Gold Tinsel Throat: Grizzly Hackle Fibers Wing: Four grizzly saddle hackles Shoulder: Teal Flank Cheek: Jungle Cock Head: Black Notes: Originated by Gardner Percy. Source: Bates, Schmookler and Sils
Grand Lake Streamer Tied by Darren Bua Hook: Mustad 94720 Thread: Black Tag: Flat Silver Tinsel Body: Orange Floss Rib: Flat Silver Tinsel Throat: White Bucktail Wing: Four to Six Strands Peacock Herl and a Pair of Grizzy Hackles Shoulder: Gray Mallard Flank Cheek: Jungle Cock Head: Black Notes: Source: Forgotten Flies, by Schmookler and Sils

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