#317 - Merrimack Ghost (Var)

#317 Merrimack Ghost (Var) - Bob Petti

Tied by: Bob Petti
Originated by: Greg Hault
Source: Smelt Fly Patterns, Donald Wilson Pg. 46

Hook: Unknown 5xl #6-#12
Thread: White 8/0
Tag: Silver flat tinsel
Body: Neon orange floss
Rib: Silver flat tinsel
Belly: White bucktail
Throat: White schlappen then a golden pheasant crest then red hackle fibers
Underwing: 4-6 peacock herls then a golden pheasant crest just past the hook bend
Wing: 2 light dun hackles flanked by chartreuse hackle
Shoulder: Silver pheasant body feather
Eye: Jungle cock nail
Head: Black

Notes: Bob is astute at tying small streamers and this variant of Merrimack Ghost is an ideal streamer for Bob to showcase his skills on. The streamer is almost identical to Gray Ghost except for the chartreuse hackles and the splash of red in the throat. The pattern was first tied by Greg Hault of Mancester, New Hampshire. The original Merrimack Ghost placed the chartreuse hackles on the inside of gray-olive hackles, dulling the brightness of the wing. It also did not include the throat, and the peacock herl was tied in as part of the belly. The streamer has been proven to be a strong choice for spring fishing and produces good numbers of fish when it is trolled in deeper water.