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?

Brass Bug


Compiled by Deanna Lee Birkholm
"George Grant wanted a fly that would sink deep and be heavy enough to minimize false casting. Thus he conceived this pattern and proved it on his beloved Big Hole River. His usual practice was to build monofilament nymph bodies. This was the only pattern he produced with a wire body. George fished it on a floating line and claimed the advantage of not having to change lines with it. He also recommended it for sinking deep during hot days."

Brass Bug

Originator: George Grant, 1960s.

Hook: Partridge Draper flat body nymph, size 12-16.

Thread: Black 6/0.

Underbody: Floss wraps to give elliptical shape.

Body: Brass wire, 0.025-inch diam., wraps over underbody.

Back: Mottled or spotted feather lacquered to back.

Hackle: Woven brown horse hair.

Credits: From Trout Country Flies, From Greater Yellowstone Area Masters by Bruce Staples, published by Frank Amato Publications.

Archive of Old Flies