The Carson from Chris Reeves
Photos and text from Chris Reeves
An Irish Mayfly pattern.
Step by step instructions
The Carson is a pattern designed for fishing on the loughs of Ireland. The usual method of fishing is “Short lining” from a drifting boat and this requires a heavily dressed fly that will stick in the surface film when dibbled in a wind.
There are many variations on a common theme and this fly is a particularly attractive one.
Fish this fly as part of a team of three usually on the top dropper.
Dressing for the Carson:-
Hook:- Partridge G3AY Sproat Wet
Thread:- UTC 70 in Fluorescent Green
Tail:- Orange cock hackle fibres under bronze mallard
Rib:- Fine gold oval tinsel or gold wire
Body:- Golden Olive seal’s fur
Body Hackle:- Golden olive cock saddle feather
Shoulder hackle:- Orange hen
Wing:- Bronze Mallard fibres
Front Hackle;- Grey mallard flank dyed pale golden olive
Lay down a bed of thread along the hook shank
Tie in a bunch of cock hackles about as long as the hook shank. Utilise any natural curve to keep the tips above the line of the shank
Tie in a bunch of bronze mallard fibres on top of the orange fibres ( of equal length).Tie in a length of wire or oval tinsel for the rib and cover the waste ends to form an even underbody
Dub a tight body of seal’s fur
Tie in a hackle; wind back in touching turns then bring the rib forwards to secure it. Tie down and remove waste tinsel and feather.
Tie in a wind two turns of orange hen at the shoulder.
Tie in a small bunch of bronze mallard on top of the hook shank.
Tie in an wrap a dyed mallard flank feather. Whip finish and varnish head.