Boston Blackie
There are times when a specific classic fly really grabs your attention and pulls you in to learn more. This is one of those flies. When I first saw this fly, I said, “Whoah, this is nice!”
So I sent a message over to Fred Klein, who tied it, and requested him to send me more information. So the details are below and I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do.
By the way, you can follow Fred over on Instagram @grizzlykingfly.
Plus here is the link: https://www.instagram.com/grizzlykingfly/
-Paul
From Fred:
“Originated by Carrie Gertrude Stevens of Upper Dam in the Rangeley Region, Maine.
Carrie, a hat maker by trade and the wife of a Maine fishing guide, used her skills to tie streamers for visitors to their camp. In 1924 she designed the feather wing streamer with shoulder feathers as gill plates emulating a minnow. She gained notoriety by catching a 6 lb 13 oz brook trout in the Upper Dam pool near her home and won second place in a Field and Stream contest. She became a professional fly tyer developing over 120 streamer patterns including the hallowed Gray Ghost!
The Boston Blackie, a relatively unknown fly, with its four black natural wing feathers and jungle cock green body feather is an exceptional streamer with the black and green hues that are perfect for wild brown trout as well as brook, rainbows and salmon.
Boston Blackie was a popular fictional character , a jewel thief and safe cracker turned detective first appearing in literature in 1917 then on to radio shows as well as motion pictures.
The fly can be fished on a dead drift as well as on the swing. It’s coloring and flash is naturally effective for clear and high water, an excellent choice for evening and night fishing for big predator brown trout.
We hope that you tie this forgotten fly with a history, and perhaps drift one downstream.”
Recipe:
Hook~ vintage #partridgehooks Long Shank
Thread~ black 8/0
Body~ silver tinsel
Belly~ bucktail over black bear
Wing~ four black (natural) hackle over long peacock herl
Shoulder~ golden pheasant body, jungle cock eyes *note natural black hackle has a teal sheen which makes this fly consistent.
