Another neat take on the Rio Grande King. Hans has a nice vid of a Western Coachman variation (highly recommended); change up the components and you have lots of possibilities.
hook - Mustad 9671 #8
thread - Danville 6/0 black
tail - Golden pheasant tippets
body - wire medium black
thorax - ostrich herl black
hackle - brown
wing - calftail white
Part 1
Mash down barb, start thread at 80% mark, wrap back to bend
even the tips on some GP tippet, measure (shank length); tie in and return to 80% mark
tie in wire, wrap to tail and back
wrap wire forward; tie off, helicopter end and cover with thread
tie in some ostrich, stroke back with wet fingers and wrap thorax; tie off and trim
tie in hackle; stroke fibers back while wrapping, tie off and trim
Last couple summers, I fished “mini” streamers In the National Forest Streams and Lakes outside of the NE corner of Yellowstone. A set of these are going to find a way into my fly box this summer!
I’ll switch to a 9672. I’ve been fooling around converting many of the wet fly patterns to a mini streamers- sizes 8-12. What attracts as a wet fly will work as a streamer pattern.
First let me say nice tye. I really like it and like your idea. I find it a pattern that I want to give a try. Now here’s my thinking stealing from your Idea. I would tye the wing in first and then put in a Full collared hackle to give a little more movement to the fly. I would use a nice coachmen brown hen cape for the collar. I really like the fly and like your tying.
Respectfully
Andy Brasko
P.S. Nice Job on flattening the thread for the head. Just love Danville 6/0 threads
Glad you and others like the fly but it definitely wasn’t my idea - first wire-bodied streamer I ever saw was Alberto Jimeno’s version of the 88 Streamer on Hans’ site
