Gartside's Sparrow

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Just a test. Gartside Sparrow. Mustad 3906B size 12, black thread, tail is pheasant marabou feather, abdomen is olive hare's dubbin, pheasant church window feather for hackle and the head is the aftershaft feather from the marabou feather. Brook trout slammed it yesterday.

[Ron Eagle Elk]

I see one now, you guys?

[upstatetrout]

You got it!

Tom

[hankaye]

REE, Howdy;

, Yup, great big fluffy lookin' fly ... that bird will sing for your supper for ya.

hank

[tie2fish]

Lovely fly and great photo!

[letumgo]

Oh man, that is a gorgeous fly Ron!

[daringduffer]

Worth the wait.

dd

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Thanks for the kind words. I learned to tie this fly from the originator of the fly, Jack Gartside. I was new to the demo tying gig at fly fishing shows, maybe my second or third show. They put the newer guys at the back wall near the exit doors. I showed up for my three hour shift and found I was seated next to Jack. I was a bit star struck. He liked to be near the exit doors so he could run out for a smoke, which he did often. When he wasn't tying a demo fly or smoking, he showed me a few of his flies. He even directed people to me, telling them I really knew my stuff about wet flies. I learned a few flies from the originator and got a confidence boost in the bargain.

[swellcat]

I learned to tie this fly from the originator of the fly, Jack Gartside. I was new to the demo tying gig at fly fishing shows, maybe my second or third show. They put the newer guys at the back wall near the exit doors. I showed up for my three hour shift and found I was seated next to Jack. I was a bit star struck. He liked to be near the exit doors so he could run out for a smoke, which he did often. When he wasn't tying a demo fly or smoking, he showed me a few of his flies. He even directed people to me, telling them I really knew my stuff about wet flies. I learned a few flies from the originator and got a confidence boost in the bargain.

What a great story. Jack's willingness to share the limelight suggests class and generosity of spirit.

[bearbutt]

Really nice story. Jack was the real thing--down to earth, scrappy, always making do. And doing things his own way. His catalogues are great documents in the history of fly design--. And his flies are totally consistent (reminds me of Ed Haas in a way). Here's a box of Sparrows Jack tied:



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