FLYMPH FORUM

Looks like a flash-bodied Carey Special; developed by Dawn Holbrook, a cane rod maker of some repute in the Pacific Northwest. The Carey is special, but this is an interesting derivative; another of the lesser loved flies from Randall Kaufmann's American Nymph Fly Tying Manual.


hook - Mustad 9672 #8
thread - Danville 6/0 black
rib - wire fine silver
abdomen - tinsel silver
hackle - pheasant rump
head - peacock herl


mash barb, start thread 2 hook eye widths back and tie in wire; wrap it to hook bend and back (try to make a smooth underbody)






tie in tinsel; wrap to the bend and back and tie off






counterwrap wire up the body; helicopter end and tie off






prep a pheasant rump feather and tie in (you want the fibers to extend a bit past the bend)








tie in peacock; twist around thread






wrap peacock head, half hitch x 2, SHHAN




Regards,
Scott

Sparkle, contrast, peacock, pheasant rump...

Checks all the right boxes!

Really nice work on the wire reinforced tinsel body, and thread reinforced herl head. Nice techniques for making a durable fishing fly.

Would you expect these longish, silver-sides flies to also be taken for "minners"?

(I suspect one could crappie- or walleye- or white-bass fish with these and still feel like an elistist .)