Category Archives: Hairwings

Jon has caught my eye with his extremely well tied hairwing streamers that really deserve a closer look. I had Jon send me some recipes on some of his flies and also tell us a little about himself and the hairwing streamers that he loves to tie. The first fly below called the Central Stoneroller Hairwing is of Jon’s own design and mimics a freshwater fish of the same name. Also, the Brook Trout streamer is also Jon’s own design. You can follow Jon’s tying on Instagram @grayfox.flyfishing.
-Paul

I am from a little coal town in Central Pa. I started tying in my early high school years, had a 16 year hiatus from the sport and got back into tying and fishing 4 years ago. Hairwings seemed to have pulled me into a certain direction with my tying and have become my favorite and most enjoyable style to work with.

Out of the group classified as hairwings, squirrel tail is my preferred wing material. In my opinion it gives the most natural appearance in the water as it starts dark and lightens at the tips just as a natural baitfish. For the beginner a natural tail can yield many flies and just subtle changes to the tail, throat, and body can mimic many different forage fish. Dyed squirrel can really add some pop to your patterns and help expand your arsenal and there are many great colors offered.

Central Stoneroller Hairwing
Hook: Partridge D4AF size4
Thread: Danville 6/0 black
Tail: tan turkey flat
Body: Northern lights silver hot white flash
Throat: cream turkey flat over yellow Grizzly collar hackle
Wing: black/fox squirrel tail blended
Eyes: acrylic paint
UV: Bone Dry

Playboy Silver from Abu Optic Flies
Hook: Partridge D4AF size 4
Thread: Danville 6/0 black
Tail: red turkey flat
Body: Northern lights Silver hot white flash
Throat: orange turkey flat
Wing: black squirrel tail
Topping: peacock herl
Eyes: acrylic paint
UV: Solarez Bone Dry

Pin Up Red from Abu Optic Flies
Hook: Partridge Sproat Wet size 2
Thread: Danville 6/0 black
Tail: Golden Pheasant tippet
Body: red 4 strand floss
Rib: small copper wire
Throat: Speckled Hen
Underwing: 4 strands Wing and Flash
Wing: Gray squirrel tail
Topping: peacock herl
Eyes: acrylic paint

Liggett Special Hairwing
Hook: Sprite S1800 size 6
Thread: Danville 6/0 Black
Body: Northern lights silver hot white
Throat: white turkey flat
Wing: yellow over red squirrel tail
Topping: peacock herl
Eyes: acrylic paint
UV: Solarez Bone Dry

Brook Trout Hairwing
Hook: Sprite S1800 Size 6
Thread: Danville 6/0 black
Tail: Lemon Wood Duck
Rib: medium gold tinsel
Body: orange floss
Throat: lemon wood duck
Wing: gray squirrel over red/blue(blended) squirrel tail
Topping: peacock herl
Eyes: acrylic paint

Blue Smelt
Hook: Partridge Heritage 7xl
Thread: Danville 6/0 white
Tail: red floss
Body: Northern lights silver hot white flash
Throat: white turkey flat
Wing: blue squirrel tail over badger
Topping: peacock herl
Eyes: acrylic paint

My name is Paul Slaney and I live, work and fish in the Usk Valley, in South Wales, UK. I may be biased, but the river and landscape here is a constant source of inspiration for me. I’m a lucky guy.

Many years ago I was captivated by a photograph of a box of Canadian salmon flies tied by the late Warren Duncan. This started me down the path of tying and fishing these bugs and when I heard that Warren was coming to the UK, I tied a box just like his and traveled to his demonstration to show him.

I quickly sensed that I was in the presence of greatness and instantly realized with some embarrassment that my offering was a parody of the real thing. However Warren showed nothing but interest and support and took the time to help point me in the right direction.

I’ve wrapped a lot of hackles since then and somewhere along the way I’ve worn the finish off the jaws of my vice, but after all that time, it still amazes me that a dry written recipe in a dusty old book, can be turned into a beautiful Salmon fly that inspires hope for the big one.

Tying flies (any flies) and researching their history became an obsession that has stayed with me all my adult life and I’m honored that Paul contacted me for some photos for this great blog.

http://flytying.me

Email Paul at [email protected]

Hairwings:

Made famous by the late Lionel Sweet of Sweets Fishing Tackle in the town of Usk in Monmouthshire. It’s the archetypal Usk Salmon fly. Some say the it’s the fly that all other shrimp flies are based on. I don’t know about that? but ask any fisher around here and they will have a few in their box. This is how I like them.

Another local fly to my area, the Leslie Peters shows the black and yellow colours that are also popular on our river. And I dare say, anywhere else salmon or sea trout swim.

If I only had one fly!….. well this is it. Well perhaps a Blue Charm as well.

A beautiful fly from Canada. Where many fantastic tiers uphold a long tradition and style of tying that I admire. This just screams to be put on the leader in clear, cold water.

A striking fly from Iceland, this variation is a great fly for Sea Run Browns here in Wales.

Born from the famous Ally’s Shrimp, this must be one of the most popular Salmon Flies in the UK and I suspect in many places worldwide. A wonderful combination of materials and colours.

Originated by Megan Boyd, this one has always been a favourite of mine. Alan original would be a collectors item.

A new fly to me, one I found recently in a modest book by Jimmy Younger. I need to contact Jimmy and find out more about it. It’s got to be a killer.