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 . . .

Part One hundred-two

Coch-Y-Bondhu

Coch-Y-Bondhu

Compiled by Deanna Birkholm
"This fly was tied originally to represent a small red and black beetle found in Wales and Scotland. While the actual beetle is limited to this area, the fly has gained a wide popularity and is tied as follows:"

    Body:  Green peacock herl twisted on a scarlet silk thread together with black ostrich herl, and wound round the shank of the hook.

    Tail:  None.

    Hackle:  Coch-y-bondhu, or furnace, and if either of these is not available, use two hackles, a red and a black.

A coch-y-bondhu hackle is one having a black center or list with red (reddish brown) or brown outer fibers tipped with black. This hackle is the same as the "furnace" with the exception of the black outer edge.

It may be interesting to note in passing, that 'coch-y-bondhu' may be found spelled about a dozen different ways; however, the spelling here appears to be the one most commonly used today." [1950]

Quoted section from Fly Patterns and Their Origins, published by Westshore Publications, Color photo from Forgotten Flies. We appreciate use permission!

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