Tuesday, April 3, 2018

More "Spruce"

The "Red Spruce"
Again from the pages of Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing comes another variation of the Spruce Fly. This pattern is called the Red Spruce. Bates was told that the Red Spruce was designed for eastern brook trout. It was first seen at the Meier and Frank Company of Portland, Oregon in 1943. It is believed it was brought out by husband and wife combination working under the name of Smith-Ely of Blue River Oregon. The fly is basically the Spruce with the addition of a red hackle feather tied in along with the silver badger hackle. This added color of red is a plus when fishing for brook trout.



Taking a key from the Red Spruce I created a couple of more variations of this great streamer. In this pattern I use a orange saddle hackle along with a silver badger. The collar is a golden badger feather.


The "Orange Spruce"
The contrast in the use of a golden badger collar can be seen here. The orange is also a brook trout favorite color.


The "Royal Spruce"
This pattern is a Royal Spruce. It uses an under wing of a golden pheasant crest, along with Jungle Cock.


A great pattern representing a smelt or other bait fish.


A stand of "Spruce"

I will be tying these at the Connecticut Fly Fisherman's Association fly tyer's roundtable in April.








22 comments:

  1. One of my favorite templates for featherwing patterns, much more motion happens in the water with those out-turned wings.

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    1. RM Lytle
      Thanks
      Rowan the do a sort of butterfly effect when retrieved. Also they have a sort of sexy movement when drifted in a slower current.

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  2. Very nicely executed Alan. "Neat but not gaudy". Would likely do well trolling for LL's. Tis the season. I always find it difficult starting the mylar ribbing without ending up with an ugly hump, at the posterior end, of the pattern.

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    Replies
    1. John Dornik
      Thanks
      John I think trolling would take away from the full effect of the splayed wing. That bump can be a problem, but when tying flies for fishing instead of framing it doesn't come into play much.

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  3. Replies
    1. The Two Terriers
      Thanks
      John I wish you could be there to.
      A nice event.

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  4. John, it should be a great fly tying event.... Those flies will shine for sure... Enjoy.

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    Replies
    1. Doug Korn Fly Tyer
      Thanks
      Doug it's a wonderful evening, with some great fly tyers.

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  5. Alan
    Excellent work at the vice---I wish I could be at the roundtable to watch you tie these colorful streamers. Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill I believe you would really enjoy the gathering.
      Great conversation and great tying.

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  6. I've never seen them tied that way. Very nice Alan, wish I could attend, it would be very educational. Thankyou.

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    Replies
    1. Brad Basehore
      Thanks
      Brad that style of wing placement makes for a nice presentation to the fish.
      Great bunch of guys.

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  7. Replies
    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete I can't wait to test them on the Farmy.

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  8. All beautifully executed, Alan, and I love your collective term.

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    Replies
    1. William Shuck
      Thanks
      Bill they all sat still for that lovely pose.

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  9. Gorgeous ties once again Alan, I wonder they would work in Yorkshire..............?
    Alistair

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous
      Thanks
      Alistair, I'm sure they would.

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  10. I've decided that if I ever had a few of those beautiful classics that I'd have them framed. Too pretty to fish!

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    Replies
    1. I won one in one of Alan's contests a couple of years ago and that is exactly what I did. It looks beautiful within a trout painting my daughter created. A prized possession.

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    2. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Howard pretty yes, but very fishable buddy.

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