FLYMPH FORUM

Silver Badger and Claret Grub
Hook - Lightning Strike Scud/Emerger Hook (Size 12)
Underbody - Woolly Nylon (White)
Abdomen - 1/8" Wide Scud Back (Tan)
Dorsal Strip - Sharpie Marker (Claret)
Thread - Veevus 14/0 (Yellow/B13)
Thorax - Two strands of Peacock Herl (Dyed Claret) - reinforced in a thread dubbing loop
Eye Catcher (okay fine, call it a wing) - Two strands of Krystal Flash folded under the hook and tied in.
Hackle - Hen Neck Feather (Silver Badger)
Head - Double three turn whip finish, and then colored with claret Sharpie marker





This fly was inspired by Carl's comments about adding white to a fly, as a way of adding contrast to make a fly more "fishy". I liked the idea and headed off to the vice to play around. Hope you guys like it. I really like the look of the black list at the center of the silver badger hackle. I think this will be another element of contrast, which will hopefully make the fly attractive to steelhead.

I will need to fish this to see how it behaves. The hen neck feather seems a little stiff, so the fly may end up having a very slow sink rate. I may need to add a split shot to my line, to get it down deep. Or drag it behind a beadhead nymph. We'll see...

Your setting the bar really high with this one, Ray. Beautifully executed dressing and it looks fishy as all get out.

Fancy! I enjoy your patterns.

Thanks Ron. Glad you like it.

Eric - I am loving the Veevus thread you gave me. The tread diameter is tiny!. Great for tying small patterns, with many materials, yet very little bulk. Thank you for the thread.

Thanks Wayne. Perhaps when I fish this fly, I need to hold my pinky out to the side... Nah...

two thumbs up!! A nice looking fly.

letumgo wrote:
Eric - I am loving the Veevus thread you gave me. The tread diameter is tiny!. Great for tying small patterns, with many materials, yet very little bulk. Thank you for the thread.

.

I have been enjoying the 14/0 as well. It splits nicely too.

Wayne - Thanks for the tip. I will give it a try.

That fly is absolutely striking, Ray. I have never seen that much red on anything short of a pike fly, and so will be most interested to hear how it is received by the fish.

There are some neat looking aspects to this pattern that caught my human eye, the translucent sin over the white abdomen gives a nice orange hue- as will the silver hackle tips over the thorax and touch of flash in between, followed by the nice dark "head" of the badger hackle. Looks great to me.... hope the Steelies think the same.

Killer little steelie pattern, among others. Sweet tie and a nicely proportioned softie. Looks like something Vern-O might be keen on.

Good luck fishing this one, just watch your step.

w