Hi-
Does anybody out there tie a Millers Special Streamer?, as in the Millers river in Erving, MA. I am looking for materials list, directions, and pictures if possible. Any help appreciated.
-RC
The pattern for the Miller’s River Special is listed in “Trolling Flies for Trout and Salmon” by Dick Stewart and Bob Leeman. If you can get your hands on a copy of this book, it is a good pattern resource for New England Streamers and Bucktails-
THREAD: Black
TAIL: Sparse amount of golden pheasant tippet fibers
BODY: Flat gold tinsel
RIB: Oval gold tinsel
WING: Sparse yellow bucktail over which is sparse black bucktail
SHOULDERS: Red side feathers from a golden pheasant skin, 1/2 wing length and extending from top of wing to below hook
CHEEKS: Jungle cock, tied short
I have tied this fly using a Mustad #3665 or a #9575 hook. There is also another pattern listed as “Millers Special” and is described as follows:
BODY: Flat silver tinsel
WING: White bucktail over which is purple bucktail over which is 4-5 strands of peacock herl
THROAT: Yellow bucktail, 1/2 length of wing
Good Luck!!
[This message has been edited by Greenmtnflier (edited 23 April 2006).]
RC - Check this out: [url=http://www.flyshop.no/flysel/erlingo/3408e.htm:fbdc1]http://www.flyshop.no/flysel/erlingo/3408e.htm[/url:fbdc1]
Tim Anderson
Thanks Folks-
It was the red shoulder feathers off the golden pheasant that i didn’t know. Now I’ll be all set!!
Nothing is more amusing to the heathen than the sight of his missionary rapidly growing demented through the futile practice of his own dogmas.
I just love this place - great relies in a very short time. Nice going folks!
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
Great photo from that Norwegian Web site. Am wondering which (of a great many, I am sure) Millers Rivers it is named after. A bit fancy for the Millers in Central/western Massachusetts where buggy, furry rough and ready buggers and streamers work so well. Any other ideas?
Peter F.
Why not use a currant book by Terry Hellekson? “Fish Flies” Page 424.
Originated by Paul Kukonen and Henry Scarborough of Worchester, Mass.
[This message has been edited by J Castwell (edited 23 April 2006).]
Well, Castwell. That pretty much confirms that it is the Millers River in central Massachusetts!
As I originally stated.
Stated?
If memory serves me correctly, Massachusetts is not a “State”, it is a “Commonwealth”!
~Parnelli
I believe the late Paul Kukonen of Worcester had something to do with the origination of the pattern. I grew up in that area in the 50’s & 60’s when parts of the river was unfit for most aquatic life. During the warmer summer months the river would become delpeted of oxygen abd all of the rough fish (carp, suckers, bullhead eels, etc.) would die off in what locals would refer to as the “dance of death”. The conservationists should be applauded for reestablishing the river as a cold water fishery once again.
Henry Scarborough of Worcester, MA (and Norway) was my grandfather.
Hi, Laura. The Norwegian connection certainly explains a knack with streamers. If you’re a tyer too, we’d love to see what you’re tying.