Dick's Killer Bucktail

[UC Steve]

An old yankee bucktail developed on the upper Connecticut River, on the Vermont / New Hampshire border. Rumored to be the forerunner of the Edson Tiger. Evidently travels well because it proved a fair producer swung over pre-spawn rainbows on the upper Columbia this Spring.

dick's killer bucktail II 005 (1280x925).jpg (294.37 KiB) Viewed 3333 times

[letumgo]

What a strikingly beautiful bucktail. Extra style points are JC and red biots. Lovely.

What hackle did you use up front? I’m guessing teal or possibly mallard.

Welcome back Steve. Nice to see you posting.

[UC Steve]

Ray, thanks for the kind words. Crazy-busy with guiding, building, preparing for the release of 'Trout Spey & The Art Of The Swing, any day now, & a new project, bringing Soft~Hackle Journal to a print quarterly (I'm perceiving a trend away from online reading, not overriding, but a trend nonetheless). More on that later.

No hackle on this one, but if you mean the topping, that is a clump of gadwall, though any waterfowl flank would do, I'm sure.

[letumgo]

“topping”…Yes. That is what I was asking about. Gadwall… Nice!!!

I can’t wait to see your new book. I ordered it as soon as I heard it was going to print. Congratulations!

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Beautifully dressed fly, Steve. I can definitely see this as a forerunner of the Edson Light Tiger. I might try a variant on local waters, using the brass Edson "cheeks" instead of the JC.

PS. According to the American Museum of Fly Fishing website, Bill Edson and Dick fished together. During the outing Dick gave Bill a couple of these flies. Bill made some changes and introduced the Light Tiger the following year.

[NightWatchman]

That’s a lovely fly. Does the peacock body have a wire ribbing ? I think I see it and then I don’t. Lol

[DOUGSDEN]

Beautiful pattern Steve and as Ray said, It's good to see you posting again! It sounds like you need a hobby to occupy your time! Might we suggest fly fishing and tying?
You are indeed a busy man! Gotta admire you for that!
Dougsden

[UC Steve]

Beautifully dressed fly, Steve. I can definitely see this as a forerunner of the Edson Light Tiger. I might try a variant on local waters, using the brass Edson "cheeks" instead of the JC.

PS. According to the American Museum of Fly Fishing website, Bill Edson and Dick fished together. During the outing Dick gave Bill a couple of these flies. Bill made some changes and introduced the Light Tiger the following year.

Thanks Ron! I didn't know that part of the story! Then rumors are probably correct. You carry the water, friend.

[UC Steve]

Beautiful pattern Steve and as Ray said, It's good to see you posting again! It sounds like you need a hobby to occupy your time! Might we suggest fly fishing and tying?
You are indeed a busy man! Gotta admire you for that!
Dougsden

You may suggest. A fine idea that!

[UC Steve]

Beautiful pattern Steve and as Ray said, It's good to see you posting again! It sounds like you need a hobby to occupy your time! Might we suggest fly fishing and tying?
You are indeed a busy man! Gotta admire you for that!
Dougsden

I couldn't determine if the original had wire, however I did wind fine silver wire over the body to make it more durable.