The Grizzly Jay Wet Fly tied on a Partridge PHCS6-3/0
Words and images from Partridge Ambassador Fred Klein
Partridge of Redditch Ambassador Fred Klein provides the recipe to a fantastic adaptation of a classic fly. The Grizzly Jay Wet Fly.
The Grizzly Jay Wet Fly, tied by Partridge Ambassador Fred Klein.
The Grizzly Jay Wet Fly
Anglers that browse through classic fly fishing literature will quickly notice the ever present attractor wet fly. These flies were quite popular for centuries with elaborate stories of successful days on the rivers, lakes and streams catching trout.
The popluar flies such as the Silver Doctor, Alexandra, Professor, and Royal Coachman were a few flies of choice consistently bringing trou to the anglers net.
Two flies often spoken of as “popular taking” trout flies were the Grizzly King with its scarlet tail, green tinseled body and grizzly hackle as well as the ever present Blue Jay winged flies. Many Stories in the volumes of classic literature speak of the effectiveness of both of these flies.
I put together a fly combining the Grizzly King with its timeless attractor qualities with Blue Jay wings of blue and black stripes over dun gray.
The Grizzly King in its many versatile forms and the Jay winged flies have proven to be excellent for brown trout, brook trout as well as salmon in New England. I plan to fish this fly this coming fall for wild trout in Pennsylvania as well as the Rangeley region of Maine.
For brown trout choose a long feather with more gray dun qualities in the wing with a sparse red tail. Brook trout and salmon will take the full dressed version with heavy grizzly hackle and full blue wing. A Sproat Bend or Streamer hook in size 6 would be my choice for trout.
Recipe (freestyle dressing)
| Hook: | Partridge of Redditch Andlington & Hutchinson Blind eye |
| Tail: | Scarlet |
| Tag: | Silver Tinsel |
| Body: | Forest Green Silk |
| Ribbing: | Gold Tinsel |
| Hackle: | Grizzly Rooster Collar Style |
| Wing: | Eurasian Blue Jay Wing Primaries |
| Eye: | Vintage Twisted Silk Guts |
| Vise: | HMH Vises, Standard |
All flies tied on Partridge PHCS6-3/0 Adlington & Hutchinson Blind Eye, for stockists, Click Here or email Sales@fishingmatters.biz
Fred Klein
Partridge of Redditch Ambassador
Fred is a fly-fishing historian, author and speaker. Professional fly tyer and fisher of early traditional flies and tackle.
"My journey in the pursuit of trout with the fly began over 40 years ago with a new fly rod and instructions to cast and drift a fly. What a gift it was. The woods and waters of Pennsylvania, the Appalachian Mountains and beyond have brought a life of admiration for the wildernessm forestsm wildlife and a thirst for what lies beyond the next bend in the stream and over the mountain".
Every day I find myself involved in fly fishing, trapping and hunting.
My endeavor is to pass on the techniques of traditional fly angling and dressings to the generations to come.
For tutorials, articles, video and classic fly galleries visit:
More Posts from Fred:
The Art and History of Fly Tying
In his most recent blog post, Pro-Team member Fred Klein discusses the Art and History of fly tying and lends his insights into tying historic fishing flies.My journey in pursuit of trout with the fly began 45 yearsago with a new fly rod and instructions to cast and...
The Tomah Jo, the Favorite Fly of a Maine Indian Guide – By Fred Klein
Tomah Joseph, an Algonquin Indian from the Grand Lake Stream area in Maine was a fly fishing and hunting guide in the 1800’s as well as an elder of the Passamaquoddy Indian Tribe. He was written about in Charles Stevens book Fly Fishing in Maine Lakes- Camp Life in...
Classic Fly Tying and Fishing For Brown Trout
Beginnings Traditional wet flies and streamers have been the mainstay for trout fishermen since the early days of fly fishing. Many of the classic fly patterns were colorful, flashy attractors, while others were tied to emulate insects and minnows, a trout’s natural...