"Allusion has been made to the habits and form of the caddis
flies in the opening chapter of this book, [Favorite Flies and Their Histories] and from that the form of this fly will be seen to
be more like that of the drakes [mayflies] than the caddis. But it is known to
too many as a caddis fly to attempt to change the name; it would
only result in confusion, misunderstanding, and failure. We do
not know who first tied them in this manner. The first we ever
saw was sent to us by some one living in Albany, N.Y., who said
he could procure no more like it, but that they were "most taking
flies." We tied them, and afterwards endeavored to improve upom
them at the suggestion of General R. U. Sherman, making them with
pale olive wings, and covering the cork body with a delicate shade
of olive silk. General Sherman said that the fly then greatly
resembled those found at Bisby Lake; and this imitation, made according
to his suggestions, proved very succesful for the Bisby Lake trout.
Mr. William J. Cassard reported remarkable success with the fly
with gray wings, like that shown in the plate, for black bass
at Lake Gogebec and in the St. Lawrence.
Recipe:
Tag: Flat gold tinsel.
Tail: Teal.
Body: Extended cork body, peacock herl at thorax.
Wing: Pigeon.
Hackle: Brown.
Head: Peacock herl.
Credits: Quoted text from Favorite Flies and Their Histories,
by Mary Orvis Marbury, published by the Lyons Press. Color photo and
recipe from Forgotten Flies published by the Complete
Sportsman.
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