#350 - Welch Rarebit

#350 Welch Rarebit - Harri Lehtonen

Tied by: Harri Lehtonen
Originated by: Herbert L. Welch
Source: Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing - Joseph D. Bates Pg. 353-354

Hook: Mustad 9575 #4
Thread: Black
Tail: Extremely narrow sections of duck or goose wing feathers in red, yellow and blue plus two strands of a peacock sword feather. All four colors are of equal and normal length, with the blue and yellow married together on one side (with yellow at the top) and the red and peacock on the other side.
Body: Silver flat tinsel
Ribbing: Silver oval tinsel
Throat: Guinea fowl fibers
Wing: 2 wine red hackles flanked by white hackle
Topping: 9 bright green peacock herls
Head: Black

Notes: The pattern is one of Maine's most famous streamers and was originated by Herbert Welch. The pattern is designed to mimic the rainbow smelt found in most Maine waters and a staple prey item of trout and salmon. The tail of the streamer is particularly intricate, perhaps one of the most complex streamer tails you will encounter. The name is a play off of welsh rarebit, a savoury cheese sauce served over bread.