The Vice-Streamer, "Fly of the Week #179

The Vice-Streamer
Thomas C. Duncan, Sr.
Photo by James Birkholm

The Vice-Streamer

In honour of the inauguration of Richard Bruce Cheney as Vice President, this fly is named "The Vice-Streamer." The best wishes of the fly's designer go to Vice President Cheney, a fly fisher, with the intent that this fly will be a danger to all Trout, both foreign and domestic.

As to tying and fishing this fly, it may not look like much in the vise, the components of this fly make it come to life in the sun, and especially in the water. More importantly, it must look great to fish because they seem to like the glowing quality of the materials. The hackle "breathes" as well which helps bring it to life.

Materials

Hook: 6-2X long (your choice).

Thread: Black 8/0.

Body: Tinsel.

Thorax: Peacock-coloured dubbing.

Beard: Waterfowl flank.

Wing: Peacock sword feathers.

Eyes: Ringneck Pheasant.

Tying Steps:

1. Tie in tinsel 1/4 shank behind eye. Move to bend of hook, and back forward.

2. Tie in an iridescent flank feather from a Ringneck Pheasant rump.

3. Tie in Peacock-coloured dubbing. Take one wrap behind the rump feather, and wind forward. (You can use regular herl, but I like to be able to tease out the fibres on this thorax.)

4. Tie on a beard of waterfowl flank (I like Teal the best) and a wing of Peacock sword feathers.Tying them in at the same time reduces thread build-up at the head, and is not that difficult with a rotary vise.

5. Clip the tips from two Ringneck Pheasant "Church Window" feathers. Tie them in at the head as eyes. You can use Jungle Cock if you have it and like it, but I like the continuity of the Pheasant in this pattern, and it lets the Peacock thorax shine through. Finish the head, and you're done!

Fishing the The Vice-Streamer:

The most important characteristic, though, is that it catches fish (particularly trout) like magic! I find it useful in many situations, but particularly when there are small sculpins. The sparseness of the body allows the natural objects in the water behind the fly to show through, mimicking the natural camoflauge of many aquatics. ~ Thomas C. Duncan, Sr.

For more great flies, check out: Beginning Fly Tying, Intermediate Fly Tying and Advanced Fly Tying.

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