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?

Jungle Variant

Compiled By James Birkholm
"It is uncertain whether Don Martinez tied this pattern for fishing California streams or streams around Yellowstone Park. According to Roy Patrick in Pacific Northwest Fly Patterns, it was created in 1947 in Yellowstone Park and was deadly there. At this time Martinez was spending summers in West Yellowstone, Montana. In Ray Bergman's Trout, Martinez is quoted as describing this pattern's effectiveness on California's Sierra streams. Through its creation, Martinez put small jungle cock eyes to use."

Also note the use of unusual feathers for the body.

Jungle Variant

Originator:  Don Martinez, 1940s

Hook:  Mustad 94840, or equivalanet, size 10-16.

Thread:  Black 6/0.

Wing:  Small jungle cock eyes, upright and divided.

Tail:  Brown hackle fibers.

Body:  Blue and yellow macaw quill fiber.

Hackle:  Sparse brown, variant radius.

~ JC

Credits: Quoted portions and photo from Trout Country Flies, From Greater Yellowstone Area Masters by Bruce Staples and published by Frank Amato Publications.

Archive of Old Flies