HISTORY
Since the merger of the Ladyfisher [Deanna] and the Chronicler [Neil] last summer there have been several months of sorting and disposing of various items. Since we have somewhat of a shared history going back to our days on the Au Sable River in Michigan in the late 60’s and early 70’s, and our subsequent mutual migration to Montana in 1974, there are a number of items that, from photographs to fly rods, that bring those days back to mind.
When I was sorting through some old papers I found an old order blank that I sent to the Fireside Angler in August of 1971. I needed some Mustad hooks [$2.00 for 100], 10 hen necks [$3.00] and 10 rooster necks [$6.00]. Total for the order was $11.00 plus .60¢ for postage. The hooks were Mustad #7955G – size #28. This was just before JC, Ole Olson and myself made our first trip to Montana for 10 days of fishing in September 1971.
When the order came there was a note from Bob Sater, who operated the Fireside Angler, concerning a fly called The Llama.
“Use the “Llama” in Montana and let me know how you make out – take pictures of any good fish. Tight lines – Bob Sater”
Eric Leiser, the owner of the Fireside Angler added a further note: “Good luck on the trip Neil – Let us know how you made out.”
In 1973 Eric published a book entitled Fly-Tying Material, and he sent me an autographed copy. On pages 129-130 he described the The Llama. He mentioned that he was introduced to the fly by Bob Sater.
I don’t know if I ever used the fly, and I believe that somewhere among my voluminous collection of flies I still have the original fly that Bob Sater sent to me.
Bob Sater included the tying instructions for The Llama and I have reproduced them below.
FLY PATTERN
THE LLAMA
This pattern was received from a tyer in Wisconsin. It is used locally on Brook Trout. The tyer who sent us this pattern claims he received it from a local fisherman who has been using it for 25 years and that the latter found the pattern in an old English book. Neither myself, nor the tyer have been able to locate mention of it in any of the reference books we now have.
The second description is a variation of the same fly, also sent in from another area in Wisconsin.
Head: Black with dotted white eye
Body: Red floss ribbed with fine gold tinsel
Tail: Grizzly hackle
Tag: 1/16th of an inch of fine gold tinsel
Wing: Tied straight back like bucktail is of woodchuck body hair, as it comes off the skin. Do not strip short pieces out. By leaving a little bulk at the tie-in point allows the hair to remain open for better action in the water.
Collar: Over and in front of the woodchuck wing tie some grizzly hackle, wet fly style.
Alternate Version
Head: Black with white eye
Body: Red floss [or orange or yellow] ribbed with silver tinsel
Tail: Grizzly Hackle
Tag: Silver Tinsel
Wing: Woodchuck tied as in the previous version
Collar: None
This fly was original tied on a Mustad 38941 – Size 8 or a Mustad 9672 – 3xl. The fly was also
tied in sizes 10 & 12.
1971 was the beginning of a remarkable change in the direction that my life would take. Within 3 years my family would be living in Montana along with JC and the Ladyfisher. The rest, as they say, is history.