Queen Of The Waters

Over the last few years I have been experimenting with some of the traditional wet fly patterns and methods of fishing them.  In recent years there has been a growing interest in these patterns and techiniques.  It's hard to imagine that 40-50 years ago this was the most popular way to fish with a fly rod.  I have discovered that these methods are just as effective today as it was then.

This fly has become one of my favorites.  Fish this fly with any of the standard wet fly presentations.  I have found it particularly effective any time there are caddis on the water.

Recipe:

❖ Hook:  Mustad 3399 10-14

❖ Thread:  Black Uni 6/0

❖ Dubbing:  Orange seal fur (seal may be hard to find so feel free to substitute    any natural or synthetic orange dubbing) or orange silk depending on whether you want a buggy or trim looking fly.  The pictured fly has a dubbed body.

❖ Hackle:  Brown hen neck hackle (oversized) tied palmer.

❖ Wing:  Natural teal flank feather (or substitute mallard)

Tying Instructions:

Tie in thread near eye of hook and wrap to the rear stopping at a point directly over the barb of the hook.

Tie in your brown hackle by the tip.

Apply dubbing to thread and wrap forward forming a trim body (do not apply too much dubbing)

Palmer brown hackle forward, stroking back the fibers as you wrap forward and tie off.

Tie in a bunch of teal flank fibers over the top of the fly.  The length of the wing should be even with the end of the hook.

Build up a neat thread head, whip finish and apply head cement.

On this particular fly several layers of cement were applied starting with thin penetration cement and finishing with a black lacquer cement to give the fly glossy black head.  This step is optional and is for aesthetics only (I doubt it matters to the fish).

Tying Tips:

I tie this fly is sizes 10 -14.  I have also seen the pattern tied with a tail of brown hackle fibers, the addition of a separate brown hackle collar and even gold wire ribbing.  You may wish to add one or all of these options.

Note:  the original Ray Bergman pattern called for a silk body and brown hackle tied palmer (no tail, dubbing, collar or ribbing).