Key Lime By Brian Hudspeth
Hook: Tiemco 7999 #2.
Thread/Head: Uni Thread 6/0 Green.
Tag: Holographic Mylar Tinsel.
Tail: Ring Neck Pheasant Neck, back to back.
Body: Chartreuse Floss.
Rib: Holographic Mylar Tinsel
Thorax: Peacock Green Ice Dubbing.
Collar: Ring Neck Pheasant Rump.
Wing: Wood Duck.
Brian Hudspeth
Prineville, Oregon
I started fly fishing 23 years ago, when I was 10
years old. My father gave me a Berkley fiberglass
fly rod and a Olympic reel. The reel was a Medalist
knock off. That same rod and reel lasted for 11
years when I finely destroyed them in Alaska. After
I graduated high school, I joined the Coast Guard and
spent the next four years living in Southeast Alaska.
That was a wonderful experience, filled with memories
of abundant salmon and huge rainbow trout, among a
few other species of fish.
It wasn’t until I returned from Alaska that I took up
fly fishing as the “only” method in which to catch fish.
Although I had been tying flies for as long or longer
than I have owned a fly rod, it was also at this time
that I started to take it seriously. My fly tying has
progressed from the need for trout and steelhead flies,
to flies for art. The first time I saw Rare and
Unusual Fly Tying Materials: A Natural History,
Volume 1, by Paul Schmookler and Ingrid Sils, I was hooked
on the “Classic” patterns. I still regret to this day,
not having bought volume one when I had the chance, as
it is next to impossible to find it today. I started
with simpler patterns, and Spey patterns. To this date
I have only tied a half dozen or so true classic patterns,
but I have tied multiple Spey patterns. I find their
elegant hackles and low slung wings a pure pleasure for
the eye.
Currently I spend most of my time working for a living.
Although I enjoy my job, I tend to find myself dreaming
of unknown waters and large fish. If fishing is not
on my mind then tying is. It seems like I spend hours
contemplating patterns before I even sit down at the
desk and then when I do, something else altogether comes
to mind. I guess that’s part of the fun.
Originally published May 1, 2004 on Fly Anglers Online by Brian Hudspeth.