What Pritt fished

Hi all,

I've been reading Fly fishing the North Country Tradition by Leslie Magee (published in 1994), which I picked up from the Bramhall library. Great book. Magee has done his research, and has gathered all sorts of information from old manuscripts, river keeper's lists, letters, club records, and such. Amongst the many great bits of information he presents are Pritt's recommended 'casts' for the various seasons. It seems Pritt tended to fish 4 flies at a time. Here is what he suggested:

March until end of April:
Point: Broughton's Point (Dark Bloa in his book)
1st Dropper: Waterhen's bloa
2nd Dropper: Woodcock (that's all it says, no colour indicated)
3rd Dropper : Dark Snipe

Mid-April until end of June:
Point: March Brown
1st Dropper: Snipe Bloa
2nd Dropper: Iron Blue Dun
3rd Dropper : Orange Partridge

Mid-June onwards
Point: Brown Owl
1st Dropper: Poult Bloa
2nd Dropper: Knotted Midge
3rd Dropper : Yellow legs (Yellow May Dun)

In September, the first cast may be used varying it if occasion arises with one of the following:
Dark Needle, Fog Black, or Brown Owl

So, if you want to pretend Pritt is your guide, there are your recommendations from him direct. The dressings are listed in his book, North Country Flies, found here:
http://www.archive.org/details/north...flie00pritrich

What great stuff!

- Jeff

So now I've gotta make up leaders for a four fly cast. What a tangled mess that would be unless fishing with a loop rod or just a long rod with a short line method.

Jeff, does it mention if Pritt fished with horse hair lines, and if so, how many hairs for the point fly?

REE

While Ordering a copy of Mary Orvis Marbury's work, Favorite Flies, I happened on a copy of Magee's book as well. Okay it did take some searching to find it in Wales, but that's where it was, and I bought it.

Jeff, I am going to allow VEE to blame this latest extravagence on my part, on you, for bringing Magee's book to my attention.

Thanks Buddy,

REE

Hi REE,

I think you will enjoy Magee's book. All sorts of great information like this, and also some neat insights into where these lists of patterns came from.

I must say, I fish 3 flies often and the tangles that can produce are of legendary proportions. It amazes me that it is even possible for the lines to get that inter-twined in so little time.

- Jeff

VEE, it wasn't me, it was REE! {a message from poetry Canada}