#187 - Dunk's Special Streamer (Var) (Cains River)

Tied by: Loretta Parent
Originated by: Oscar Weber
Source: Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing, Bates - Pg. 243, 246

Hook: Mustad 3665A
Thread: Black
Tag: Flat gold tinsel
Tail: 2 sections of barred wood duck feather
Body: Flat gold tinsel
Wing: 2 magenta hackles flanked by french blue hackle
Eyes: Jungle cock
Collar: A few turns of magenta hackle then a few turns of french blue hackle.
Head: Black

Notes: This is one of the more strikingly colorful of the Cains River series, using a magenta hackle mixed with the rich french blue, with hues of purple to be seen among the feathers. Loretta changed up the tinsel to a gold color from the original silver for this interesting variation. Dunk was one of several guides that worked for Mr Harry Allen, a prominent figure on the Cains in the 1920's and 1930's, who had streamers named after them.

The Cains River style of streamers was popularized by Fred N. Peet and C. Jim Pray and have become known to be effective lures for sportfish such as Atlantic salmon, steelhead, Pacific salmon and pike as well as a range of saltwater targets. Some general notes when tying this style are outlined in Joseph D. Bates book, Streamer Fly tying and Fishing.

On all Cains River streamers all wing hackles are of the same length. When a two-color- collar is called for, the rear color should be twice as heavily dressed as the forward color. Two or three turns of tinsel should be taken around the bend of the hook below where the tail is tied in. The heads are mostly varnished black. Mr. Pray used regular number two sproat hooks, although the flies may be dressed on hooks 2X or 3X long. Nearly all the series are similar in design.