Black Magic

[GlassJet]

Silk: black, Thorax: peacock herl, hackle: black genetic hen. Kamasan B405 #16

Apparently, this is an outstanding river and lake midge pattern throughout Europe. Again, from Malcolm Greenhalgh's book.

When there's midges about, these trout ain't gonna stand a chance!

Andrew.

[William Anderson]

Andrew, all these classics are really nice to see. I never get tired of seeing simple spiders.

w

[cicvara]

-I like this.Nicely done.

[Soft-hackle]

Sharp! Simple yet very classy. It's like a stylish tuxedo.

Mark

[flyfishwithme]

This fly originated in the 1960's by Frederick E Mold. In his only publication - "Presenting the Fly to the TRout" - he describes using it on the Wharfe at Bolton Abbey during a hot August day. He did not invent it as it was given to him by another local Yorkshireman. He used it as classic 'spider' pattern and also as a 'nymph'.
THis is his description:
Hook: Size 0, round bend, down eye
Body: Black silk from a point opposite the bard to a point two thirds along the length of the shank in the direction of the eye. Here I build a hump of fine copper wire and wind over it two twisted strands of copper coloured peacock herl tying them in with the black tying silk and ribbing them with a couple of turns of black silk for strength rather than effect.
Hackle: A minute jet black hen hackle - two turns only
Finish: A whip finish with the same black silk and a dot of varnish to seal this.

He also goes on in his book to say "This is one of my most cherished fly patterns. Fish it as a nymph with the delicacy and concentration it deserves. It will deceive trout anywhere and throughout the season, but I have done best in August when the weather is humid."

I placed a similar tie to this on the forum last year where I have used a red hologram ribbing over the thread. That fly is deadly with grayling.

[GlassJet]

Hi Philip, thanks very much for the background, very interesting.

Here I build a hump of fine copper wire and wind over it two twisted strands of copper coloured peacock herl tying them in with the black tying silk and ribbing them with a couple of turns of black silk for strength rather than effect.

Yes, Greenhalgh mentions that the original was tied with copper wire beneath the herl, but no more detail than that.

Cheers,
Andrew.