Welcome to 'just old flies,' a section of methods and flies that used-to-be. These flies were tied with the only materials available. Long before the advent of 'modern' tying materials, they were created and improved upon at a far slower pace than today's modern counterparts; limited by materials available and the tiers imagination.
Once long gone, there existed a 'fraternity' of anglers who felt an obligation to use only the 'standard' patterns of the day. We hope to bring a bit of nostalgia to these pages and to you. And sometimes what you find here will not always be about fishing. Perhaps you will enjoy them. Perhaps you will fish the flies. Perhaps?
MICHIGAN CADDIS
“Some patterns lend themselves
well to the use of wing burners”
Mr. Jay Neve, a commercial tyer from Michigan claims that Art Winnie is the originator of this fly pattern. There is no evidence to support that claim. According to Mr. Winnie’s daughter Jeanne, this is not the caddis pattern that Art is famous for (same name, Michigan Caddis). Art Winnie most probably did tie and sell this pattern from his barber shop. It was very popular in the mid-1900’s. The actual originator is unknown.
Materials:__________________________
- Hook: Mustad: #94840 or #94833 Sizes: 6-10
- Thread: Black, 6/0
- Tail: Natural Deer Hair
- Body: Deer Hair
- Hackle: Grizzly
- Wing: Grizzly Hackle Tips
Deer hair spins best on a bare hook, so do
not tie in a good base of thread. Only a
small amount near the hook bend so that
we can secure the tail.
Tie in your tail using natural deer hair.
Use head cement if you desire.
On the shank of the hook, spin some deer
hair. Using a hair packer (I use a hollow
ink pen tube) pack the hair tightly over
the thread that is securing the tail. Spin
some more, pact tightly. Repeat this
process several times till you have enough
hair to form the body.
Secure the spun deer hair with thread then
proceed to shape the body. The same basic
shape as you would use for a ‘Irresistible.’
Tie in your grizzly hackle and secure
with thread.
For larger flies I have always preferred to
use wing burners. Grip the hackle stem as
pictured. Trim the excess with scissors.
Run a lighter or match around the edge of
the burners. Perfect wings every time!
Tie the wings in, in front of the hackle,
spent wing. Wrap the head and add
head cement.
This fly was developed for the ‘Hexagenia’ hatch. Trim the hackle top and bottom for the hex hatch. This fly still has a following today. For me, it’s one of my favorite night fishing flies.
For more information on Michigan dry flies go to: http://www.michigandryflies.net
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