There is a bit of disagreement on the originator of this
beautiful fly. According to the terrific new book
Century End by Paul Ptalis, it was originated by
F.L. Popham, with this tie as in The Salmon Fly
written by Geo. M. Kelson in 1895.
Fly Patterns and Their Origins says however,
"Another creation of James Wright . . . is named after
F.L. Popham of Littlecot, near Brighton, who often fished
near and visited Sprouston. Mr. Popham won the Derby [famous
British horserace] in the fifties. [1850's]
Mr. Wright, 1829 - 1902, won many awards, medals and diplomas,
between 1862 and 1883, for his trout and salmon flies. He is
credited with the Silver Gray, Thunder and Lightning, and others."
The pattern shown, tied by Paul Ptalis,
is described in Century End as:
- Hook: 6/0 Wm. Bartleet by R.W. Reinhold.
- Tag: Gold twist.
- Tail: Golden pheasant crest and indian crow.
- Body: In three equal sections, each terminating
with a black herl butt, The first of dark red-orange silk, ribbed
with fine gold tinsel having indian crow above and below; the second,
yellow silk with similar ribbing and crow feathers as before; the third
of light blue silk and silver ribbing with the indian crow repeated.
- Throat: Jay.
- Rib: Fine oval gold tinsel, or gold wire in
smallers sizes counter-wrapped to reinforce the palmered body hackle.
- Wing: Tippet, teal, gallina, golden pleasant
tail, parrot light brown mottled turkey, bustard, red macaw, yellow
macaw, with two strips of mallard above and a topping.
- Horns: Blue Macaw.
Credits: Quoted section from Fly Patterns and Their Origins, by Harold
Hinsdill Smedley, published by Westshore Publications.
Color photo and recipe from Century End, A Fly Tying Journey,
published by Frank Amato Publications.
We appreciate use permission!
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