Atherton#4

[upstatetrout]

P_20190208_111936.jpg (195.22 KiB) Viewed 3891 times

From John Atherton's book the Fly and the Fish his recommended wet fly No. 4.

Hook. Mustad #3906b size 10.
Thread. UTC 70 denier wood duck.(my choice Atherton did not specify.)
Tail. Dark Cree.
Body. Hare's ear,tied rough ribbed with oval gold tinsel.
Wings Hen pheasant secondary.
Hackle.Dark Cree

The wet flies in the book were designed as we're his dry flies to cover a range of colors and values that include many of the insects found in our streams. His chapter on flies and impressionism should be required reading for all fly tiers who actually fish. If you do not actually fish you do not have to take the test..

[letumgo]

Fantastic! You had me at Atherton, but damn that is SUPERB!

Kudos Tom.

Frame that bad boy... I would...

[Bazzer69]

Nice fly. I have two questions, was the original tied on a size ten? Was the wing that long in Athertons day?
B

[upstatetrout]

As per Atherton he tied this fly on hooks size 8,10,12 and 14.

The wet fly wings in his book extend to mid tail maybe a little further.And yes that was the standard wing length back then and now.

Tom

[tjd]

Tom,

Your tying is impeccable!
John Atherton's book and his philosophy on tying is very interesting. The Fly and The Fish is a title that I refer to quite frequently. His dubbing blends, use of cree hackle, and tying style make for very effective flies.

Best,

Tim