#48-2013 - Red Belly Dace

#48-2013 Red Belly Dace by Marcelo Morales

Tied by: Marcelo Morales
Originated by: J. Edson Leonard
Source: Flies, J. Edson Leonard Pg. 106-107

Hook: Partridge CS15 #4
Thread: White 8/0
Tail: Golden pheasant crest sweeping upward followed by a shorter Indian crow feather
Body: Red seal or Imi-seal dubbing
Rib: Gold flat tinsel
Collars: 3 sections of yellow and orange hackle separated by dubbing
Wing: Black bucktail under yellow bucktail under black bucktail under peacock herl
Shoulder: Lady Amherst pheasant tippet
Eye: Jungle cock nail
Head: Black

Notes: J. Edson Leonard used the pattern to illustrate his technique of imitating natural bait fish he refers to as a "Combintion Streamer". The red belly dace was chosen because of its distinct coloration and because of its contrasting longitudinal stripes. Each of the components on the streamer were selected to present a reasonable, not exacting, copy of the natural. Marcelo bring his unique style to this complex streamer, employing his beautiful tapering of the body, and shifts the collars forward. J. Edson Leonard tied his with the collars tied evenly distributed along the length of the body and finished the fly with a redish brown head. Either way, it is quite a stunning lure to behold, and I urge you to read about the construction which may be found in 'Flies'.