Grey Gnat

John Jackson's Practical Fly-Fisher - Tied SHDF Style.
This is pattern number 13 called the Grey Gnat from Jackson's book of 1854.

The interpretation here of the fly is likely incorrect but following the article listed below I tie it "Jingler" style.

That means it incorporates a rooster hackle fronted by a soft hackle - and this type of fly has been called a "Soft Hackle Dry Fly" or SHDF.

Jackson lists this fly for April and pattern as:
Wings - grey feather from a Partridge's back.
Body - Orange coloured silk.
Legs - Grizzled hackle

Of course it does not state rooster for the "grizzled hackle" but I think the assumption is fair...but maybe wrong. The image of the fly in the book certainly looks to show a wound hackled fly...so by "wings" does it mean wound as in the "Grey Midge" or tied in and divided on top?

I like SHDF for surface dwellers or stuck in the film "lures". The soft hackle has some mobility and the rooster hackle helps keep it in the film higher and longer than say just a Partridge and orange.

Enjoy!