Goats Toe anybody?

[Mataura mayfly]

That's why I was hoping the full autopsied bird might be returned...... we could all have some nice bronze herl to plat with....... them tails are big!
My bet is the entire vet staff have a few tail feathers each in a vase at home

[letumgo]

[Donald Nicolson]

I have recently acquired Stan Headley's book "Flies of Scotland". It is an excellent book and contains good info on the "Goat's Toe". It shows this variant pattern, not wingless I am afraid, although it can be if you so desire. I have included Stan's comments at the end, no picture I am afraid, my eyes are giving me a few problems, I would love to dress this fly.

Goat's Toe, Silver.
Hook:- Partridge SH2 #12, or Kamasan B175 #10.
Silk:- Black.
Tail:- A bunch of fluffy fibres from the base of a Scarlet dyed hen hackle.
Body:- Flat silver.
Body hackle:- Short black cock.
Rib:- Very fine oval silver or wire.
Wing:- A bunch of peacock sword feather fibres, Alexandra style.
Head hackle:- Bottle green peacock hackle.
Stan Headley quote -
"In a big wave, dull day, peaty water scenario, this pattern can be lethal to the point of embarrasment, fished on the top dropper with a floating line. It can also be used on a fast sinking line, when you can kid yourself that it is not a 'lure'. The secret of the success of this fly lies in the mobility of the peacock neck hackles.
Although this version is very similar to the 'Alexandra', the pattern was named before it acquired a wing and looked more like the standard 'Goat's Toe'. I believe the effectivness of this pattern is markedly enhanced by the inclusion of the sword tail wing.
This is a fly that would be worth experimenting with on salmon and sea trout on lochs." - Unquote.

Ron, a version of this fly would work well for Steelheads.

[Mataura mayfly]

Donald, that is a really interesting dressing and comment. Most folk I know that have fished the pattern in Ireland use it in much the same manner as your quote, but I am unsure if they have tried the silver/sword variant.
I tied a silver one in the opening photo of this thread, but used wool for the tag and wool rib over silver body with no sword wing....... it (with others) is on it's way to the States to become a Steelhead fly.

[Ruard]

Here are the scans of the three pictures of the book of Stan Headley:







greeting

[Old Hat]

A little adjusting for fun and I put a couple of these in my steelhead box

Hook: #6 Ken Sawada Old Limerick Wet
Thread: Black
Tail: Golden pheasant tippets dyed red
Body: Silver tinsel
Body Hackle: Black saddle hackle
Rib: small silver braid cross wrapped through body hackle
Wing: Peacock sword
Hackle: Spirit River Super Slappen dyed blue

Silver Goat's Toe.jpg (177.97 KiB) Viewed 3065 times

[Mataura mayfly]

Now that is cool!!
Great looking fly, has many of the considered "good" attributes of several patterns all rolled into one. Looks like it should be a winner and very well tied Sir.

Keep us informed on how it fishes.

[hankaye]

Old Hat, Howdy;

Looks to clinical and clean, please post a pic. of when it's been
chewed on and made more 'comfortable lookin''. , ,

hank

[letumgo]

Carl - your pattern reminds me very much of the famous "Alexandria" pattern. I tried a while back, to convert it to a soft hackle pattern, but failed miserably. Your fly is brilliant! What a gem...

[tie2fish]

Carl ~ That is an outstanding pattern, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if it doesn't become a well-know classic; it is that good.