#1 - Black Ghost

Black Ghosts - Originated by Herbie Welch Tied by Don Bastian, Bob Frandsen, Bob Petti and Jim Warner

See below for the individual streamers.

Tied by: Don Bastian, Bob Frandsen, Bob Petti and Jim Warner
Originated by: Herbert (Herbie) Welch
Source: Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing (page 228-230)

Don Bastian Dressing
Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek Rangeley Streamer
Thread: Black
Tail: Yellow hackle fibers
Body: Black wool
Rib: Medium silver tinsel flat
Throat: Yellow hackle fibers
Wing: 4 white hackles
Eye: Jungle cock nail
Head: Black

Bob Frandsen Dressing
Hook: Mustad 94720 8xl
Thread: Black
Tag: Flat silver tinsel
Tail: Yellow hackle fibers
Body: Black silk
Rib: Narrow silver tinsel flat
Throat: Yellow hackle fibers
Wing: 4 white hackles
Eye: Jungle cock nail
Head: Black

Bob Petti Dressing
Hook: Mustad 3665A
Thread: Black
Tail: Yellow hackle fibers
Body: Black floss
Rib: Wide silver tinsel flat
Throat: Yellow hackle fibers
Wing: 4 white hackles
Eye: Painted on white with black pupil
Head: Black

Jim Warner Dressing
Hook: Allcock 2811 Sproat #4
Thread: Black
Tag: Silver flat tinsel
Tail: Yellow fluoro fibers
Body: Black floss
Rib: Medium silver tinsel flat
Throat: Yellow hackle fibers
Wing: 4 white hackles
Eye: Jungle cock nail
Head: Black (with red band)

Notes: The Black Ghost is one of the most famous flies ever tied and has been one of the most popular submissions in the streamers 365 project. The Black Ghost streamer was originated by Herbert "Herbie" Welch of Haines Landing, Maine, and since its inception has spread across the world in many variations. The simple pattern lends itself nicely to wing material substitution, and is commonly tied with bucktail and marabou. Welch lived on the Mooselookmeguntic Lake in Rangeley Maine, this was just across the lake from the also world renowned fly tyer Carrie Stevens. An avid fly tyer and outdoorsman himself, he was also known for his taxidermy and artworks. Mr Welch designed and developed the Black Ghost in the the early part of the 20th century (1919 - 1927) to end up with the final version we know today. Perhaps only Carrie Stevens' Gray Ghost could claim the same level of notoriety as Herbie's creation. Both are staples in fly boxes the world over.

Part of Mr. Welch's story includes the claim of being the first to tie streamers on hooks that developed into the modern day long shanked streamers. He required a longer hook to facilitate his vision of smelt patterns, and so used bluefish hooks as the basis of the new hook design. His reshaped hooks better served the patterns, and the thousands of smelt and streamer patterns that followed. A difficult claim to prove out, but if true, perhaps current streamer aficionados have "Herbie" to blame for our long-iron fetish.