Historical Fly Gallery

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The Royal Coachman was first tied in New York city by a fly dresser named John Haily. The red floss body was developed to strengthen an older pattern called the Coachman. This was done because the teeth of the Brook Trout in Upstate Maine were too hard on the Standard Coachman. It was labeled "Royal", as it reminded people of the British Red Coats. This name was suggested by Charles Orvis's brother. Charles Orvis went on to found the famous fly fishing company that bears his name. The fly here is tied per the original John Haily pattern.