#238 - Cains River Freeman's Choice

#238 - Cains River Freeman's Choice - Bryant Freeman

Tied by: Bryant Freeman
Originated by: Bryant Freeman based on the Cains River series
Source: Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing, Bates - Pg. 243 - 249

Hook: #2 Partridge CS17 Ken Baker
Tail: 2 sections of barred wood duck feather
Body: Medium flat silver tinsel
Wing: 2 orange badger hackles flanked by yellow badger hackles
Cheek: Jungle cock
Collar: A few turns of orange badger and yellow badger hackle
Head: Black

Notes: Freeman's Choice is based on the popular Cains River series of streamers. Bryant's creation features a wing of beautifully dyed yellow over orange badger hackle, giving the streamer somewhat of a sunburst look.

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 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.

Bryant has provided the project with 6 examples of the series and they will be available for sale as a group near the end of the project.