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 Two hundred-nine

Royal Coachman, Fan Wing

Royal Coachman, Fan Wing

Compiled by James Birkholm
The Fan-wing Royal Coachman may be one of the most popular flies ever not fished. Beginners always buy it because it is so colorful, but it is rarely fished. Some consider it to be an imitation for the Isonychia bicolor imago or dun. Including it in this section does however complete the history of this particular fly. Previously we have shown here in Old Flies both the dry and wet version of the Royal Coachmen. (You will find both in the Archives.)

The latest version of the Royal Coachman may well be Lee Wulff's Royal Wulff, which utilizes many of the segments of this fly.

    Recipe, Fan Wing Royal Coachman
    as tied by Preston Jennings

    Hook: #10 and #12 down eye reversed.

    Tail: Brown cock's hackle.

    Body: Peacock herl, with center portion of dark red floss.

    Wing: Mandarin breast feather, set upright.

    Hackle: Brown cock's hackle.

Credits: Color photo and recipe from Forgotten Flies published by The Complete Sportsman.

Archive of Old Flies