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.

A Mr. L.O. Lownsdale of Portland Ore. Is credited for producing this pattern. This is first known Summer Steelhead pattern fashioned from local Northwest materials.

In a letter from 1889 he complains that the "encroachment of civilization" has robbed the Northwest of its good fishing. Some complaints never seem to change. To get away from the crowds he would hire a mule packer and hike to Tillamook Bay, fishing as he went. This fishing trip would last for three months.

Created by Tom Bosworth, carriage driver to Queen Victoria. Driving a two or four horse team made "Old Tom" a master with the buggy whip. A favorite trick of his was too snap the pipe from the mouth of pedestrians, with his whip, as the carriage passed. This skill with the whip translated perfectly when applied to the fly rod. His skill was legendary in Nineteenth Century England.. For night fishing he developed this fly which has served as a dependable standard right up to present times. The Royal Coachman was not an Old Tom fly but a reinforced version of the coachman by John Haily.