The "Black Magic" spider fly. This pattern has a few variations and I would bet they all will take there share of trout. Here I have tied two that work well for me. The first pattern was taken from Robert Smith's book "The North Country Fly"...it is tied using black silk, peacock herl, and starling. The pattern in the book calls for black hen hackle.
The variant of the "Black Magic" uses black silk, a tiny bit of black dubbing for the thorax and starling hackle.
This is the "Starling and Purple"...it calls for purple silk, black dubbing for a thorax and starling.
This is the "Snipe and Purple"....it is a very simple fly but also very elegant. Purple silk, snipe hackle.
These flies are a pleasure to tie and will take their fare share of trout. They are tied on a beautiful hook, Partridge "Spider" size 14.
Tried and true done very well.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
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Bill pretty simple flies, so effective.
Alan, those are gorgeous and I am confident that in your hands that they will catch plenty of trout. I have been tying a lot of soft hackles for Bluegill, etc. They seem to work very well, but then again, most anything will catch a Bluegill.......
ReplyDeleteBy the way, when I was much younger, I went on a Snipe hunt a few times. Never had much success!
Mel Fly Tyin Times
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Mel I have been successful with SH's on rock bass and smallies too.
Snipe and woodcock are pretty similar, and woodcock have graced a dinner table of mine from time to time.
Beautiful flies, these have become my favorites to fish. Another I've had great success with is a peacock body with starling. A few of these patterns will be added to my box for sure. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteChris MaineFly207
Anonymous
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Chris the peacock and starling is a great fly, as are the brown hackle peacock and gray hackle peacock. The latter two are probably well known.
Outstanding fly!! Again simple, yet very effective!
ReplyDeleteTROUT1
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Pete that they are....I'll give you a few when we fish together.
Killer soft hackles, Alan. In general how many turns of hackle do you take? Most of mine either come out looking too full or too sparse. Maybe sparse is the way to go on these anyways. Thanks, Sam
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
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Sam usually on spider patterns I use a max of 2 turns. And on some soft-hackles 3. If you strip the hackle from one side of the feather you will almost always get a sparse fly, and sparse is best.
My fail safe tip is after 2 turns look at the fly, if it looks good tie it off, otherwise make another wrap of hackle.
Thanks for the tip, Alan, on stripping hackle off one side. I will give that a go.
DeleteSam I think it will work for you....let us know.
DeleteI tied a few up tonight that were more to my liking, Alan. Your method will be mine from here on out. Thanks!
DeleteSam, glad it worked out well for you.
DeleteBeautiful ties, Brk Trt.
ReplyDeleteI fish all three patterns throughout the season and there is certainly a time and place for each.
If you haven't done so already, check out the Williams Favourite, a similar dark spider pattern. It is one of my go-to spiders on Summer evenings when the browns are selectively feeding on Chironomids and other little dark morsels.
Thank you and please keep these gems coming!
Invictadk
Anonymous
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He has a great site, and his flies are superb. Dark flies do have a place in the anglers box.
They came through for me today.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI will be giving your soft hackles a try in a few weeks on the Caney--excellent work at the bench--thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill first off I'm glad your trout season is at hand. The soft-hackles should do well for you.