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Spey flies can be labeled as some of
the most beautiful and rewarding fly patterns for both
salmon and steelhead. While the conventions for tying
these flies are somewhat many, their sleek design is
often characterized by long-flowing, soft hackle that
provides effective movement through the water. |
There is some controversy over dating of the first spey fly,
with accounts placing the origin of these patterns somewhere
between the 1700's and the 1800's. What is assuredly known is
that these patterns were originally developed for fishing in
the highlands of Scotland, on the Spey River. Since that time,
spey patterns have become widely used by salmon and steelhead
anglers around the globe, and are today, recognized as one of
the best utilitarian patterns for these species.
Special thanks goes out to Gerald G. Bartsch of "Quality
Flies tied by G.G.B.", who has kindly provided us with
the following spey pattern, aptly named, the "Hot Peacock
Spey":
Hot Peacock Spey
HOOK: Partridge Bartleet Traditional Salmon CS10/1
- Size 4 to1/0.
THREAD: Danville - Black. TAG: Flat silver mylar tinsel.
BODY: 1/3 Floss - Danville 4 strand nylon - Fluorescent
fire orange and 2/3's Peacock herl.
RIBBING: Fine oval silver tinsel - Lagartun's.
HACKLE: 1 Medium Blue Eared Pheasant Feather - one
side stripped.
COLLAR: 1 Teal feather. WING: Bronze mallard.
| Step One:
Tie in thread at front of hook and wrap it back to
the middle of the shank. Tie in flat silver tinsel and
wrap it back to the point of the hook. Wrap the tinsel
forward to the tie-in and tie it off. |
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| Step Two:
Take 8 inches of 4 strand floss and separate it into
2 strands. Tie in the floss at the middle of the shank
and wrap back. Leave a 1/8th inch tag of silver tinsel
and wrap the floss forward to the tie-in. Tie off floss.
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| Step Three:
Tie in fine oval silver tinsel on the bottom of the
shank. Tie in four peacock herl leaving 1/4 inch of
floss exposed. Twist the herl with the thread and wrap
it forwards to the middle of the shank. Tie in one medium
blue eared pheasant feather. |
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| Step Four:
Tie in four more peacock herl, twist with thread,
and wrap forward to the return loop of the hook. Make
3 evenly spaced wraps of blue eared pheasant. Make one
turn at the front and tie off. Reverse wrap the tinsel
4 wraps forward to reinforce the blue eared pheasant
hackle. Tie off. |
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| Step Five:
Tie in the teal feather by the tip and make 1 1/2
to 2 turns. Tie off. |
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| Step Six:
Tie in the bronze mallard wing using 1/4 inch segment
of one right and one left feather. The wing should be
the length of the hook shank. Make a small neat head.
Whip finish and cement. |
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