I'm trying to figure out how to get pictures of flies with this new digital camera. I came across this beautiful pattern in an old copy of "Streamer Fly-Tying and Fishing" by Joseph D. Bates, Jr., published in 1950.

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It's called the Iris #1 Bucktail. I tied it just as it looked, but the colors did not come out on the picture like in real-life. The picture does not do this fly justice. It is one of the most striking-looking flies I've ever seen.

It was designed by Preston Jennings, who was a student of the then new (1920s-?)theory of refraction and reflection of light through a prism. He endeavored to dress his flies as the fish saw them. His concept of the breaking down of light as it passes through water is exhibited by the use of spectrum colors in his minnow imitations.

Iris #1 Bucktail

Thread: 6/0 Black
Body: Flat silver tinsel
Ribbing: Oval silver tinsel
Wings: All bucktail-sparse red on the bottom, a bit more yellow above the red to predominate, sparse green next and topped with sparse blue.
Cheeks: Jungle-cock (imitaion, in my case)

I haven't fished with it, yet, but I'm sure it will catch something. It's just almost too pretty to use!

I'll keep working with the camera. I think it's the exterior lighting (light bulb) that is throwing the color off.

Later,

Gig