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?

Doctor Mummy

Compiled By James Birkholm
Quoting from Trout Country Flies, "According to Geroge Frant, Wilbur "Bugs" Beaty produced this fly for one Doctor Mummy who came seasonably from Colorado to fish the Madison River. The fly became a western Montana favorite. The mid-century popularity explosion of spinning gear in Montana put many streamer patterns into obscurity, this one included. This popularity, of course, begs the question how many streamers conceived in Trout Country have been lost forever.

Doctor Mummy

Originator:  Wilbur Beaty, 1930s.

Hook:  Partridge Wilson, or equivalent, size 4-10.

Thread:  Red 6/0.

Tail:  Six golden pheasant tippet fibers.

Tip:  Flat gold tinsel.

Tag:  Peacock herl.

Rib:  Oval gold tinsel.

Body:  Black floss.

Hackle:  Soft hot orange.

Underwing:  Ringneck pheasant tail fibers.

Wing:  Barred mallard flank feather.

Cheeks:  Jungle cock nail."

~ JC

Credits: Quoted portions and photo from Trout Country Flies by Bruce Staples, published by Frank Amato Publications.

Archive of Old Flies