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?

Parks-Wilson


Compiled by James Castwell
This is a unique mayfly dun design. Bob Wilson believed that placing legs on fly patterns give more realism than wrapping hackle. This concept has been applied to terrestrials. The same realism idea can be argued for the use of a post wing. In tests with other dun patterns, this pattern appeared to produce better results for Wilson. The colors of the Parks-Wilson can be varied to simulate those of any mayfly dun.

Parks-Wilson:

    Originators: Bob Wilson and Richard Parks, 1970s.

    Hook: Mustad 94849, or equivalent, size 10-16.

    Thread: Cream 6/0.

    Body: Cream body or dubbing.

    Wing: Straw colored elk in a post.

    Legs: Three sets of knotted hairs or monofilament.

Credits: Trout Country Flies by Bruce Staples, published by Frank Amato Publications. ~ JC

Archive of Old Flies