Though a famous historic landmark in Connecticut carries the name of one of the most recognized flies in the world that is not what we are going to focus on here. Now I will tell you that I have plans to visit the tavern for lunch because I have heard some good talk of how good an establishment it is. Also the tavern is located on the banks of the Farmington River and is actually a short distance from where I caught my first brook trout on the Royal Coachman now going on over fifty years ago.
The Royal Coachman streamer....I know many are familiar with the Royal Coachman dry and wet fly versions but how many are familiar with the streamer fly. This fly has been in the lips of many a brook trout and depicted so in some fine paintings. I have in my possession and displayed a painting by Mark Susinno. It shows a magnificent brook trout in hot pursuit of a Royal Coachman streamer.
Just a few hundred yards upriver from the tavern along a swift stretch I started fishing the streamer. Remember this was an early time in my fly fishing and it was pure speculation that I knew what i was doing. The streamer was cast downstream and stripped back. Maybe the forth time I felt the hard take of a fish. After some tough going the fish finally gave up. At my thigh was a beautiful brook trout. I carry the Royal Coachman but don't seem to fish it as much....maybe I should reconsider.
Good morning Alan- The Royal Coachman is my favorite fly. I tie and fish a lot of the variants. The last fish I caught in 2021 was a 14" Rainbow that came on a #10 RC winged wet. My personal best ever trout (21" Rainbow) grabbed #14 RC dry and the last landlocked Salmon I hooked (and lost) went for a size 6 RC Streamer. My particular streamer variants are tied with white marabou for the wings but otherwise are very similar to yours. Wikipedia states that Mary Orvis Marbury credited John Haily with creating the pattern in 1878. It's just a brilliant fly, said to be able to catch trout anywhere in the world.
ReplyDeleteDean F
DeleteThanks
Dean that's quite a shout out for the RC. The winged wet is a fly I have never been able to tie. I do tie a wet fly but use calf tail for the wing. Your use of white marabou is an excellent one, very lively.
I look forward to reading about some adventures and seeing some photos that feature the royal coachman streamer in action in the coming months!
ReplyDeleteShawn
DeleteThanks
Shawn I have plans on fishing one today, hope I can get out.
Good luck! The next couple of weeks won't have any better weather than this.
DeleteShawn it was a beautiful day an hour or so casting a February Red and....
DeleteI don't think I've ever actually fished a Royal Coachman before; not sure why. Looking at your streamers makes me think I need to try trolling them after ice-out. I think I'll tie some up...
ReplyDeletemike
DeleteThanks
Mike that surprises me. I know it is used quite frequently in the Rangeley lakes area, salmon like it. I think if you do troll it you'll be happy with the results.
Some deja vu here. First fly fishing trip ever. East Fork of the Carson River. Royal Coachman dry. Cast out, Oh look, there goes one floating down the river. End of my leader...empty.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
DeleteThanks
Mark that made me chuckle...we all have done something equal I'm sure. Don't forget the California Coachman.
Brk Trt, I too have some RC history. 45 years ago +/- I originally learned how to tie flies from my uncle. The very 1st fly I tied thru his instruction was the RC. later on, I laid off tying for years for one reason or another. Years later I'm now back into it and my very favorite dry fly that I absolutely love to use and tie are various wulff patterns and the Royal Wulff which is a spin off from the RC is one of my favorite ties.
ReplyDeleteYou can't get anymore classic then a RC and all its Variants....Phil
DRYFLYGUY
DeleteThanks
Phil 45 years ago, man thats great to hear. I agree that the RC and the RW are classics. They have a Royal Wulff that was tied by Lee Wulff. It was in the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum...man was that bushy.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was a Royal Coachman Streamer. It has the perfect color combination to get some savage hits. The white brings out the shad color. I remember fishing a streamer on Smith Lake some years ago. I found out that there is no mistaking the hit, it is solid! Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
DeleteThanks
Bill the RC streamer is an effective one. And as you said it can represent a shad. Fish may nibble or sip smaller flies but will always slam hard a streamer.
It is a beautiful fly and very interesting to tie, I am very enthusiastic about it.
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
DeleteThanks
Armando with your tying skills I'd love to see you tie one.