HOOK: 3x long, size 6 to 10 BODY: Yarn, chenille or dubbing. HACKLE: Two or three pheasant rump feathers TAIL: Pheasant rump

TYING TIPS:
Perhaps the most common color combination is a black body with brown hackle (as above). Some other popular color combinations include black, green, red, or sage body with natural (brown) or olive-died pheasant rump for hackle. When wrapping pheasant rump feathers as the hackle, begin by tying the feathers in from the stem. Use hackle pliers to then wrap the feathers, and tie down.

FISHING THE CAREY SPECIAL:
Originally called the "Monkey-faced Louise", until receiving the name Carey Special. It was aptly named the Carey Special from its originator, Coloney Carey. Doctor Lloyd Day of Kelowna found a groundhog on his fishing trip and asked Coloney Carey to tie a fly from the hairs. Today, it has many colors, and is usually tied with pheasant rump rather than groundhog.

A Carey Special can simulate many insects, including dragonfly nymphs, caddis nymphs, mayfly nymphs, and leeches. The Carey is by far one of the most popular lake fishing patterns in British Columbia. Look in any local angler's fly box, and it will probably contain a Carey Special. It is an exceptional trolling fly, and a great searching pattern.

The most common way to fish the Carey Special in British Columbia's lakes, is to troll the fly on or near the bottom with a full sink line. At other times, success can be found while trolling the fly at intermediate depths, or near the surface. Often variations in the retrieve will elicit strikes. Short tugs of about 2 to 3 inches, or long slow pulls of about 8 to 12 inches, followed by a pause should be tried.