Category Archives: Classic

Black Bear King

This fly is a freestyle bucktail streamer. I found it interesting that there isn’t a streamer named after the black bear.

This streamer has worked very well for wild brown trout. Black seems to be the preferred wing color and black bear fur has a natural shine, with the red tail which looks like a wounded minnow and the tinsel, it is a good attractor fly.
I enjoy tying and fishing with flies tied with materials harvested from nature. This fur is from a bear that I took in the Pennsylvania Blue Mountains.

Recipe:

Hook: This pattern is dressed on a size 4, down eye, 3x heavy, 4x long.
Tag: Silver tinsel.
Rib: Gold Tinsel.
Body: Hunter green floss with peacock herl butt.
Throat: Black bear fur.
Belly: White bucktail (sparse)
Wing: Black bear fur over four of five peacock  swords.

Red Fox Streamer

This fly is a free style bucktail streamer. This pattern is tied with red fox fur for the wing, throat, dubbing and tail. Fox fur is always nice to work with and the colors mimic natural dace and brown trout fingerling. I have a fox hide and used it for this pattern.

Recipe:

Hook: This pattern is dressed on a size 4, down eye, 3x heavy, 4x long.
Tag: Red floss
Rib: Silver oval tinsel, medium
Body: Silver flat tinsel.
Throat: Red Fox body fur
Belly: White bucktail (sparse)
Wing: Red Fox body fur extending half way over the tail.
Tail: Red fox tail with dark tips
Thread: 8/0 black
Eyes: Acrylic yellow with black pupil, three coats of laquer to finish and strengthen the head.

Grizzly King and Royal Coachman streamers

For those evenings when the trout need a little stimulation. These timeless patterns require no introduction.

The Royal Coachman and his old partner the Grizzly King.

Royal Coachman Streamer

Hook: This pattern is dressed on a size 4, down eye, 3x heavy, 4x long bronze hook.
Body: Bright red floss center with two sections of extra green peacock herl (I like to use four strands). Leave plenty of room on the hook for the hackle, wing and head.
Throat: Rust brown hen hackle.
Tail: Golden Pheasant tippet. For framed art flies use two center sections. For fishing flies, any section will do.
Wing: White goose shoulder turned down extending to the tip of the tail.
Thread: black 8/0
Eyes: Acrylic with black pupils finished with three coats of laquer for durability.

Grizzly King Streamer

Hook: This pattern is dressed on a size 4, down eye, 3x heavy, 4x long bronze hook.
Rib: Silver oval tinsel (medium)
Body: Hunter green floss (leave plenty of room on the hook for the hackle, wing and head.
Throat: grizzled white mallard flank
Tail: Red goose shoulder
Wing: Grey Squirrel tail, stacked.
Thread: 8/0 black
Eyes: Acrylic white with black pupil, three coats of laquer for durability.