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?

Flight's Fancy



Compiled by Deanna Birkholm
This fly, once quite popular in America, named after Mr. Flight, of Wnchester, England, dates about 1885, at which time it was rated one of the best. It was in imitation of the English olive dun, an autumn fly similar to the March brown.

The dressing given in Fly Patterns and Their Origins:,
    Tail: Honey.

    Body: Yellow silk, ribbed gold wire.

    Wing: Pale starling.

    Hackle: Honey.

Credits: Text from Fly Patterns and Their Origins, By Harold Hinsdill Smedley. Color photo Forgotten Flies published by Complete Sportsman.

Archive of Old Flies