Welcome to Just Old Flies

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 todays 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?

Sidewinder Dun

Compiled by James Castwell
Of all the patterns in Selective Trout by Doug Swisher and Carl Richards, [I still have my original copy, signed by Carl Richards] this type had the biggest impack in Trout Country. [Rocky Mountain states.] Mayfly dun imitations tied without hackles have been created for centuries, abut none are as elegant as this. It can be tied to simulate mayfly duns of any size and color. Rene Harrop developed the proper wing set for this pattern. His modification, the Double-Wing Sidewinder, has a double set of duck quill segments for each wing.

Sidewinder Dun:

    Originators: Doug Swisher and Carl Richards, 1960s, tied by Rene Harrop.

    Hook: Mustad 94840, or equivalent, size 12-24.

    Thread: Color matching natural insect, 6/0 or 8/0.

    Tail: Stiff hackle fibers or mink tail guard hair.

    Wing: Dark gray duck quill segments.

    Body: Dubbed from fur blend to match color of natural.

Credits: Trout Country Flies by Bruce Staples, published by Frank Amato Publications. ~ JC

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