A pattern with all the proven elements of a successful sea-trout fly
Would you like to appear on our site? We offer sponsored articles and advertising to put you in front of our readers. Find out more.This wonderfully proportioned lure from Welshman Alun Rees has a dark silhouette, sparkle and flash of red. It is a fly that serious sea-trout fishers will love. Alun suggests the fly will “do nicely”, a phrase used in an old American Express advert.
Materials
Hook: Size 4-10 Kamsan B800, ¾-1½in aluminium tube, or 25mm Waddington
Thread: Black Rib: Medium silver tinsel Body: Black tying thread
Hackle: Scarlet cock hackle fibres Underwing: Black squirrel
Overwing: Peacock sword fibres Head: Black
Step 1 Fix the hook in the vice, then wrap black tying thread along the shank in touching turns. This will form the first layer of the body.
Step 2 Stop winding the thread before the bend to keep the body short, then tie in flat silver tinsel. Secure the tinsel and wind the thread up the shank
Step 3 Return the thread to the head area, applying touching turns to form a smooth base. Begin winding the tinsel, tightly to stop it slipping.
Step 4 Continue in closely spaced turns to give a “candy bar” effect. At the eye, secure the loose end.
Step 5 Remove the waste tinsel. Select a bunch of dyed red cock hackle fibres. Trim the butts and catch them in at the throat to extend the body length.
Step 6 Take a small bunch of black squirrel tail and remove broken hairs. Catch it in so the tips extend past the bend, then secure with tight thread wraps.
Step 7 Cut a length of peacock sword quill, keeping individual fibres on the stem. This makes the fibres manageable when tying and prevents twisting.
Step 8 Place the peacock swords on top of the wing to create a cloak over the squirrel tail, keeping the ends of the swords shorter than the squirrel hair.
Step 9 Secure the peacock swords, then trim off the waste. Tie off neatly and add a whip finish. Finally, give the head two coats of varnish.
In sizes for trout and salmon and with looks to match its performance, Sage’s new fly reel is the perfect match for spey casts.