Came across this pattern this morning in an older book. It is called the “Sure Shot”.
Tail: Calf Tail
Body: Peacock Herl
Ribbing: Yellow Silk
Hackle: Brown
Divided Wings: Calf Tail (I substituted white Para Post)
Hook: Mustad 7957B (I substituted TMC 100-size 14)
The author says: “This pattern was developed by Roger Nash of Denver, Colorado. It is patterned after the Wulffs and is fairly popular in some parts of Colorado.”
It seems like a good floater and, perhaps, a good attractor in faster water.
I believe I was shown that pattern in Washington State some time ago…but as a Trude. It was a pretty good pattern. Been a while since I’ve seen or tied it though.
The first photo was at a bit of an angle. It is a drawing and doesn’t depict the upright, divided wings too well.
Here is a better picture of the drawing and one of the color plates in the same book.
From FISH FLIES, by Terry Hellockson (p 140):
" Roger Nash of Denver, CO developed the Sureshot… it has been used successfully throughout the Rocky Mountain area and on the west coast."
Recipe:
Hook - Sizes 8 to16
Thread - Brown
Wings - White calf tail tied upright and divided
Tail - White calf tail
Body - Dubbed with yellow synthetic fur
Hackle - Brown tied on as a collar
*** HOWEVER*** The author refers to Plate #2 (4 down, 3 to the right) and the photograph for this fly is not the same as the recipe he gives. The photo clearly shows a body of peacock herl with a rib of gold (tinsel or silk?).
Therefore, I wonder which is correct?
Very interesting. Newer book (2005) title: FISH FLIES, The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier’s Art. Same author - slightly different description - same photograph(that same photo is on the back jacket cover too) - different recipe.
You ask, “But the recipe I have been posting matches the pictures of the fly, right?”
Yes. I thought I said as much. Wonder why the narrative in the two books and the recipe listed in the book I have are different from the book you have? Maybe just an error in the editing?
I don’t have it in any of my books at all. But it was shown to me in the early 90’s during a tying conclave in Washington. Same name, but that particular tyer tied it as a Trude. I believe it was also tied on a 2x long dry hook in larger sizes (6-10)? Could just be a regional variation. It did well on Sea-run Cutts.
Amazing!!
The “Sureshot” is an obscure pattern. I have looked in many of my fly pattern books and not found other references. No luck on the web either (other than the previous citations I showed). Finally, this morning, I found this from an old post on a local California FFF club web announcement of an upcoming meeting:
It too follows the recipe I cited.
FLY TYING WITH BILL BLACKSTONE
The Sureshot
Who knows who was first. I’m still enamored with the world of fly tying. Every area claims their specials andonly recognizes these specials by the name the area gave to them, and will fight to the death when questionedotherwise.
In keeping with last month’s pattern (H&L Variant) here is a regional special known as the “Sureshot”. Itemploys exactly the same material as the H&L Variant plus a floss rib. This pattern was said to have comefrom a tier in Colorado and was patterned after the famous Wulff series. You may find this pattern is easier tofish or tie for the streams you frequent. (See the December 07 newsletter article on the H&L Variant for adrawing of the finished fly)
EditorsNote:Thereshould bea tail herebut itgot lost inthe mail.
1. Traditionally, the Wulff flies were tied wings first with butts being tied down facing the tail and forming1⁄2 the body and the wings stood up and divided after the wing was tied in.
[ol]
[li] The next step was to tie in the tail with the tail butts joining the wing butts and forming a smooth[/li] underbody for the herl body. Leave the thread at the start of the tail.
[li] Tie in the yellow floss rib.[/li]
[li] Tie in the peacock herl and wrap the thread forward to the wing space. Tie off and trim.[/li]
[li] Form the body using peacock herl. Tie off and trim.[/li]
[li] Wrap the floss forward forming the rib. Tie off and trim. Cross wrap or reverse rib if you choose to[/li] protect your herl from unwinding from fish strides.
[li] Select hackle; tie in behind wing and hackle fly using matching wraps before and after the wing.[/li]
[/ol] Some tiers on larger patterns will not only figure 8 their hackle winds, but sometimes will wrap hackle aroundeach wing base. This technique is referred to as water walker style. It is extremely effective on the larger 8and 10 patterns.
Tying Tips and Tricks
From Earl Arnold
Clean out the eye of the fly you just tied. While it’s in the vice after you apply the head cement, just insert anold hackle tip (Like the tip of the feather you just used) into the eye of the hook and pull it through. Now youwon’t be digging glue out of the eye on stream when the fish are rising all around. If you don’t have ahackle tip handy a peacock herl works great.
Here is another style of fly that Helleckson highlighted, which you don’t see much - the Waterwalker style. He attributes the design to Frank Johnston of Missoula, Montana although many, incorrectly, give Helleckson the credit.
This style of fly calls for two hackles. One hackle is wrapped around the far divided upright, divided wing; and the other is wrapped around the near-side upright, divided wing. The result is that the hackle protrudes at a 90 degree angle from the hook shank of the fly. This has two advantages: 1. It is more like the natural insect’s footprint on the water; and 2. The fly cannot land any other way than upright and in correct position on the water.
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