I've been studying the Iron Blue family of flies which were mainstays for Leisenring, who introduced them to Pete Hidy. I'm curious to get a sense of how popular the Iron Blue patterns are today. Do any of you tie and fish them?
Their variants included hooks from 12 to 18, some with tails (or whisks). The hackles could be starling neck, coot, blue dun hen, dark blue dun, honey dun, or dark honey dun—or short jackdaw throat hackle for the Iron Blue Nymph. Sometimes there could even be fine gold wire rib.
However, the thing they all had in common was dark mole dubbing spun on dark red or dark magenta silk, with several wraps of bare silk exposed at the tail—Pearsalls Crimson or Claret being preferred.
In Overfield's FAMOUS FLIES AND THEIR ORIGINATORS, Pete Hidy gave the option of using black silk:
IRON BLUE DUN
Hook—14, 15, or 16, Long shank mayfly
Silk—Claret or black
Body—Mole fur on claret or black silk
Hackle—Dark blue-dun, starling, or coot
Whisks—Dark blue-dun hackle fibers
Iron Blue
Moderators: William Anderson, letumgo
Iron Blue
- Attachments
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- Hidy A-1-c Iron Blue Dun.jpg (261.41 KiB) Viewed 15908 times
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- Pete Hidy wrote the color names in pencil next to the thread samples on his Pearsalls color chart.
- PearsallsColors_Lo.jpg (312.43 KiB) Viewed 15918 times
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- 18_IronBluNymph_a_6277-3.jpg (260.3 KiB) Viewed 15918 times
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- This hackle is misidentified. More likely dark blue-dun hen. The chewed-up tail and hackle suggest the fly has been used.
- Hidy K-24 Iron Blue 2022-11-30 Lo.jpg (260.36 KiB) Viewed 15918 times
Last edited by gingerdun on Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Iron Blue
I fish a plane jane muskrat when the Iron series of flies are probably being eaten. I have mole, I just dont use it so much in this fasion.
Re: Iron Blue
Wayne,
Leisenring and Hidy were fishing these in Pennsylvania, and in the Catskills. I don't think dad used them as much when he moved to Oregon, and then to Idaho.
I'd be interested to see what your plane Jane muskrat looks like.
Re: Iron Blue
Totally generic
Re: Iron Blue
That’s a gorgeous fly. The Hackle, tapered head and body, fur dubbing, looks like a lot of my dad’s Idaho flies. He used gray thread often too. Thanks for posting the photo.
Re: Iron Blue
This is what I use occasionally. The Leisenring Iron Blue Nymph. Claret silk with mole and jackdaw Hackle.
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Re: Iron Blue
Update,
Beautifully tied fly!
Beautifully tied fly!
Re: Iron Blue
Wow Guys!
This is both fascinating and fantastic! Lance, to answer your question, yes I do tie and use the Iron Blue Wingless almost exclusively! My tying is quite a bit different from yours and the other partners. I do use mole on them occasionally subbing muskrat for mole fur. Your dads offerings are intriguing (I love your, I hope I have the right terminology for this, macro photography) with every thread wrap viewed and accounted for! These patterns are built like tanks! I think I know why the whisks are not always included. They usually get chewed off after two or three toothy encounters with trout! I include them in my tying out of tradition more than any other reason! It seems stark against very dark mole dubbing and usually rather dark hackles and red or claret silk! I've not noticed much difference in the patterns catchability with or without the whisks! I will try and get some pictures posted here (Ray, hint-hint) soon!
Uptdate, I like your version very much! Back when I bought patterns (BT - before tying), I had great success with a great wet fly that looked very much like yours! It has been years since I have seen this and I want to thank you for posting it! It brings back great memories!
Doug
This is both fascinating and fantastic! Lance, to answer your question, yes I do tie and use the Iron Blue Wingless almost exclusively! My tying is quite a bit different from yours and the other partners. I do use mole on them occasionally subbing muskrat for mole fur. Your dads offerings are intriguing (I love your, I hope I have the right terminology for this, macro photography) with every thread wrap viewed and accounted for! These patterns are built like tanks! I think I know why the whisks are not always included. They usually get chewed off after two or three toothy encounters with trout! I include them in my tying out of tradition more than any other reason! It seems stark against very dark mole dubbing and usually rather dark hackles and red or claret silk! I've not noticed much difference in the patterns catchability with or without the whisks! I will try and get some pictures posted here (Ray, hint-hint) soon!
Uptdate, I like your version very much! Back when I bought patterns (BT - before tying), I had great success with a great wet fly that looked very much like yours! It has been years since I have seen this and I want to thank you for posting it! It brings back great memories!
Doug
Fish when you can, not when you should! Anything short of this is just a disaster.
Re: Iron Blue
Wayne,
I find your "Totally Generic" patterns quite beautiful and I know they will take fish practically everywhere! You have brought to light the brown hackles against the beautiful gray dubbing! By the way, I am in total agreement with Lance! The body work on these is fantastic! You have a true mastery of this material and technique! Can I come to your Den and look over your shoulder? I'll bring an apple pie and and some ice cream if you make a pot of coffee!
Doug
I find your "Totally Generic" patterns quite beautiful and I know they will take fish practically everywhere! You have brought to light the brown hackles against the beautiful gray dubbing! By the way, I am in total agreement with Lance! The body work on these is fantastic! You have a true mastery of this material and technique! Can I come to your Den and look over your shoulder? I'll bring an apple pie and and some ice cream if you make a pot of coffee!
Doug
Fish when you can, not when you should! Anything short of this is just a disaster.
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FlyFisherMann1955
- Posts: 436
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 7:24 pm
- Location: Midwest City, OK
Re: Iron Blue
I've tied these 2 but haven't fished them because I live in a trout desert called Oklahoma. I'm sure they would catch fish if I just used them as an attractor during 1 of my trips, but it would be nice to fish them someplace that actually had a hatch of the naturals.
From Dave Hughes' book, Wet Flies.
I'm sure you're familiar with this version.
Tight Lines- Ken
From Dave Hughes' book, Wet Flies.
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