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 fourty

Olive Heron

Olive Heron

Compiled by Deanna Birkholm
Quoting Dick Surette's Trout and Salmon FLY INDEX, "This pattern was developed and tied by one of the best fly tyers and anglers in New Hampshire, Nick Lambrou of Manchester, in 1972. Tied especially to be used for land-locked salmon as a shrimp fly copy during the early season angling in the Lake Winnipesaukee area. The fly when tied in various sizes imitates some lake and stream minnows. Best usage of the fly is with floating line and fine long leaders to coax fussy and uncooperative land-locks into striking as the fly is constantly cast and floated over the holding fish.

Variations of the pattern can be gray, black, brown, etc. Keep the same style palmer hackle and the wing format; change the base colors only in the fly. When used in rivers, streams, and ponds, it becomes a good fly for all species of trout.

For some strange reason rainbow trout seem to like this fly style and dressing. The Olive Heron has also proved itself in the very limited sea run brown fishery of coastal New England. Give this fly a good workout; it is a real sleeper."

Pass Lake - Dressing

    Hook:   Mustad #9671, sizes 6-8-10-12.

    Thread:   Olive pre-waxed nylon.

    Body:   Olive dubbed seal.

    Rib:   Olive palmered hackle, full.

    Wing:  Wood duck flank.

Credits: Quoted text, recipe and photo from Dick Surette's Trout and Salmon Fly Index published by Stackpole Books. ~ DLB

Archive of Old Flies