According to Joseph D. Bates, Jr., in Streamer FlyTying & Fishing
"This was the idea of retired Conservation Warden Frank Hornberg when
he was on active duty in Portage County [Wisconsin]. We [Weber
Tackle Company, Stevens Point, Wisconsin] helped him develop it, and
tied the first one for commercial sale. I think he had in mind to
simulate a small minnow, which this fly does nicely when fished wet. It
is also very effective when dressed and fished dry. It is primarily
a trout fly but takes panfish very readily. . .
This fly is also called the Hornberg Special Streamer in the West. In
the eastern version no lacquer is added to the tips of the wing. Some
variations use yellow hair instead of the original yellow hackles, and
teal instead of mallard. The fly is often fished dry until it sinks,
whereupon it is fished as a streamer.
Forgotton Flies shows and lists the Hornberg in Black, Bronze,
Cinnamon, Dark, Downwing, Downwing Orange, Downwing Red, Green, Yellow,
Special Streamer and Trolling.
The pattern is:
Hook: Size 6 regular.
Body: Dyed yellow calf fibers tied to tilt at
a slightly upward angle and flanked by two mallard feathers.
Cheek: Jungle cock.
Hackle: Grizzly and brown mixed and tied as a
dry fly collar.
Notes: Eric Leiser writes: Though this pattern
is listed in the streamer and bucktail sections of most catalogs,
it may also be used as a dry fly imitating some of the adult caddis
and stone fly naturals common in most streams . . .an all purpose
favorite."
Quoted section from Streamer FlyTying & Fishing
by Joseph D. Bates, Jr., published by Stackpole Books,
Color photo and recipe from
Forgotten Flies. We appreciate use permission!
~ DLB
|
