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-seventeen

Judge

Judge

Compiled by Deanna Birkholm
This colorful fly is a Carrie Stevens tie, also known as the Red Witch.

The fly was named for the Hon. Charles E. "Stang" Wheeler, a former state Senator from Stratford, CT.

According to Streamer FlyTying and Fishing by Joseph D. Bates, Jr., "Larger than life in presence as well as talent, Stang Wheeler is recognized as one of the finest amateur decoy carvers in American history. Ever a Connecticut yankee, he enjoyed a number of careers - oysterman, cartoonist, and sporting artist. For hobbies he wove baskets, wrote poems, bred dogs, played football, and boxed. A determining influence on the development of the Rangeley style of streamer flies, he was also an expert sailor and an ardent conversationalist. His spirit was as creative as it was versatile. He is regarded by all who knew him as a fine sportsman and, above all, a fine friend."

The pattern is described in Forgotten Flies as:
    Body:   Medium flat silver tinsel.

    Throat:  White bucktail, followed by white hackle fibers.

    Wing:   Four to six strands peacock herl followed by four red-dyed grizzly saddle hackles.

    Cheeks:   Jungle Cock.

    Head:  Black with red center band.

Quoted section from Streamer FlyTying & Fishing by Joseph D. Bates, Jr., published by Stackpole Books. Color photo and recipe from Forgotten Flies. We appreciate use permission!

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