Libertone's Genesee Jewel

[tie2fish]

Ray's initiation of birthday greetings to Mark Libertone in memory of Mark's contributions to us, fly tying, and fly fishing art sent me straight away his section on Hans Weilenmann's website for a reviewing of his patterns. And since his "Genesee Jewel" was recently the centerpiece of an article by noted Catskill photographer, author, and blogger Ed Optapczuk, I decided to give it a whirl.

Hook: Wet fly, #8 - #16 (I used a vintage Mustad 3101 ring eye limerick bend, Size #12)
Thread: Pale yellow (Uni 8/0 Light Cahill)
Hackle: Cream or pale ginger hen
Rib: Fine pearlescent tinsel
Body: Hareline cream rabbit dubbing spun Leisenring style; leave guard hair in and rough up a bit (I subbed a blend of cream seal and light Cahill beaver spun in Pearsall's #3 primrose that I had already stored on a card)
Wing: Wood duck or mallard flank dyed to look like it

Libertone's Genesee Jewel.JPG (39.55 KiB) Viewed 5749 times

[chase creek]

Lovely! Thanks.

[BrkTrt]

Ray's initiation of birthday greetings to Mark Libertone in memory of Mark's contributions to us, fly tying, and fly fishing art sent me straight away his section on Hans Weilenmann's website for a reviewing of his patterns. And since his "Genesee Jewel" was recently the centerpiece of an article by noted Catskill photographer, author, and blogger Ed Optapczuk, I decided to give it a whirl.

Hook: Wet fly, #8 - #16 (I used a vintage Mustad 3101 ring eye limerick bend, Size #12)
Thread: Pale yellow (Uni 8/0 Light Cahill)
Hackle: Cream or pale ginger hen
Rib: Fine pearlescent tinsel
Body: Hareline cream rabbit dubbing spun Leisenring style; leave guard hair in and rough up a bit (I subbed a blend of cream seal and light Cahill beaver spun in Pearsall's #3 primrose that I had already stored on a card)
Wing: Wood duck or mallard flank dyed to look like it


Libertone's Genesee Jewel.JPG
Well done. It's a great fly, and I fish it all year long.

[BrkTrt]

GJ for ff.jpg (141.34 KiB) Viewed 5723 times

Alan

[DOUGSDEN]

Cheese Whiz Guys....These patterns are awesome! They are so very "fishable" in all seasons and waters! In fact, I think even I could accomplish this! Mark would be oh, so proud of both patterns!
Doug in the Den

[letumgo]

Bill & Alan,

Mark would have loved thes flies, and been happy to see others tying his pattern. Kudos.

Thank you for sharing the photos. Beautiful flies.

[William Anderson]

Bill, that's a strong sample for a Genesee Jewel. I tied a few of these years ago after seeing Mark's version. He used to say he would pair this with a darker wet fly year round as a search pattern and being new to the sport I took it as gospel. I learned to not put too much faith in what people say without giving it some scrutiny, but that bit of advice seemed on point and I have lived by it for all these years. It's such a classic little Cahill-esque pattern, it's bound to fish well all summer.

Alan, such a beautiful shot and a beautiful fly. Thanks for posting this.

w

[tie2fish]

Thanks, gents.

[Old Hat]

Gorgeous tying gentlemen. When I think of Mark, I always get a vision of this pattern.

[letumgo]

Happy Birthday Mark. We miss you, ole friend. You too Bill...