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-sixteen

Shushan Postmaster Bucktail

Compiled By James Birkholm
"This bucktail was originated by Lew Oatman, of Shushan, New York, about 1953, and named for the postmaster of the town, who was one of Lew's favorite fishing companions on the Battenkill river, which flows from Vermont into New York State."

The pattern is: (As dressed by the originator)
    Hook:   Size 6 to 10, 6X long.

    Tail:   A very small secton of a brown mottled turkey feather, as long as the gap of the hook.

    Body:  Wound with light yellow floss, slightly tapered.

    Ribbing:   Flat gold tinsel.

    Throat:   A few fibers from a duck wing quill, dyed red and as long as the tail.

    Wing:   A small bunch of fox squirrel tail hair, extending to the end of the tail.

    Cheek:   Jungle cock, small and short.

    Head:   Black.

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

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