Fly of the Month - July 2009

Peacock & Bronze

I tied this fly about 12 years ago and did well on it, but as I started using other flies, I kind of let this one sit in my fly box. I started using it again last year and have been doing real well on it. I have caught Trout, Bluegills and Smallmouth bass with it. I tie them with and without weight and fish it without an indicator. I just don't use indicators. Tying the P&B. this is a real simple fly to tie with basically two materials plus the hook and thread

Hook: Scud Hook: 10-14
Weight: As Desired or none
Thread: 8/0 Fire Orange
Tail: Three Strands of Peacock Herl
Body: Copper Tinsel Chenille, Ginger can also be used
Shell Back: Three strands of Peacock Herl Twisted
Head: Fire Orange thread
Antenna: Two strands of Peacock Herl.

If using weight, wrap the hook with lead wire as desired. Secure the wire with the Fire Orange thread. Bring the thread fwd and tie in the three strands of Peacock Herl. Tie in behind the hook eye leaving enough space for final tying off and the head with the Herl ends beyond the hook bend for the tail. Tie in the body Chenille the full length of the body wrapping down the bend a bit to give the body a bit of a curve. Bring the thread fwd to the tie off point. Wrap the body and tie off. Raise the tag ends if the Herl and twist them together to form a rope. Pull the "rope" over the top of the body and tie off behind the hook eye. This forms the Shell Back. Tie off and form a definite Fire Orange head. Whip Finish. Clip off the Herl at the bend to form a short tail and at the hook eye to form the Antennas.
Not really necessary but I clip off one of the antenna strands so there are only two.

I fish this fly dead drift with a twitch till the swing. After the swing, I let it come to the surface and twitch it a bit. Fishing one without weight, it will just drift just below the surface. I have had a lot of violent strikes on this fly.

Tony Spezio

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