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?

Dusty Miller

Compiled by Eric Austin
Fly tied by Eric Austin
The Dusty Miller is sometimes, but not often, called "the Beryl." As the season advances and the fish begin to seek deeper water, the gayly dressed flies with bright silver bodies are found desirable to take the place of the ever-reliable Jock Scott and other favorites. Where the water is rough and rapid, or deep, a large fly should be used, and the Dusty Miller, Silver Doctor, and Wilkinson are admirable for this purpose.

Recipe Dusty Miller:

    Tag: Fine oval silver tinsel, golden yellow floss.

    Tail: Golden pheasant crest and Indian crow sub.

    Butt: Black ostrich herl.

    Body: Rear 2/3, embossed silver tinsel; front 1/3 orange floss.

    Rib: Oval silver tinsel over all.

    Hackle: Golden Olive over the orange floss.

    Throat: Speckled Guinea fowl

    Wings: White-Tipped turkey underwing; married teal and barred wood duck; red and yellow goose; peacock; amherst pheasant tail; golden pheasant tail; bustard sub; mallard roof.

    Sides: Jungle Cock.

    Topping: Golden pheasant crest.

    Horns: Blue and yellow macaw.

    Head: Black.

~ EA

Credits: Text from Favorite Flies and Their Histories by Mary Orvis Marbury. Fly and photo by Eric Austin.

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