Dr. C. Wickham, of Winchester, England, is credited with this fly,
suggestive of the red spinner, with wings of medium gray slate starling
and body of gold tinsel over brown hackle, tied palmer. It is supposed
to be particularly good when fish are "smutting."
Sparse Gray Hackle says, "The old superstition that a Wickham's Fancy,
slate wings, gold body, brown hackle tied palmer, and a Campbell's
Fancy are interchangeable is hooey on the Beaverkill."
The Doctor was at one time owner of part of the Houghton Club water on
the Test.
The fly was first dresed at Hammond's shop in Winchester. Mr. Hammond's
theory was that the gold under water gave an olive tint.
The Pink Wickham, with wings of pink landrail, was a variation by George
Holland, a noted professional fly-tier. ~ LadyFisher
Information from Fly Patterns and Their
Origins, published by Westshore Publications.
Photo from
The Traditional Flyfisher, Thomas C. Duncan Sr.
|
