Referring to a somewhat old book, I was intrigued by the names of some old flies, mainly because they were generally named from the materials used in their construction......eg. Teal Blue and Silver, Mallard and Claret, Stoat's Tail, GRHE, Partridge and Orange, Snipe and Purple, Pheasant Tail nymph.....and so on. Others are then named after their initiators, Jock Scott, Dai Ben, Angus Stuart's Fancy, Broughton's Point, Pope's Nondescript. This is just naming a few from a very extensive list. So, what I'd like to know basically is, how the hell did some of the names of modern flies get christened?
Taffy1
There are some daft names for flies, which confuses beginners and experienced anglers alike.
Here's one - Bibio Emerger - The only place a Bibio (hawthorn fly, heather fly, black gnats) emerges from is damp soil. So to fish it correctly we would need to cast it behind us into the field!
Douglas
Here's one - Bibio Emerger - The only place a Bibio (hawthorn fly, heather fly, black gnats) emerges from is damp soil. So to fish it correctly we would need to cast it behind us into the field!
Douglas
Booby Nymph - This is a clever name, which I am sure was invented by some fly seller. The nymph part will make the angler think that he is fishing something imitative. When asked what he caught his ten trout on, he can confidently say 'A Nymph'
If anyone ever finds a real nymph that looks like a booby - They have probably discovered a new species!
Douglas
If anyone ever finds a real nymph that looks like a booby - They have probably discovered a new species!
Douglas
Actually, Douglas, the very early boobies were designed as a nymph, or rather as a sort of caddis to be fished very close to the lake bed without snagging. In that guise it was very effective. Later on, of course, it was "improved" by adding marabou tails and wings in all sorts of garish colours.
Many years ago I created a fly which I called the Magic Hare. It was at the time of the great upsurge in interest in competition fishing. This fly incorporated white wool breathers fore & aft as per the Shipmans with a body of hares fur and a red game palmered hackle. Worked a treat on the top dropper.
Some while later while preparing for a trip to Lough Conn I created what I felt was a typical Irish pattern. It arose out of a trip to the pub where, after 4 pints of Ruddles County, I had the idea for this fly. I headed home, poured myself a generous measure of Famous Grouse, and tied the fly. On a size 10, tail of golden pheasant crest, fine oval gold tinsel rib, body in 4 parts from the tail - yellow, ginger, fiery brown and claret seals fur, palmered red game cock hackle with a few turns of claret cock hackle in front. I called it the Ruddled Grouse, and it has caught fish every time I've used it in Ireland, and often has been the star of the week.
With many of the classic traditional patterns it is easy to see how they got their names. They are tied in "families" and I suspect that someone ran out of a certain material - eg mallard bronze, and tied up the fly using the next best thing and there we have the grouse family.
Many years ago I created a fly which I called the Magic Hare. It was at the time of the great upsurge in interest in competition fishing. This fly incorporated white wool breathers fore & aft as per the Shipmans with a body of hares fur and a red game palmered hackle. Worked a treat on the top dropper.
Some while later while preparing for a trip to Lough Conn I created what I felt was a typical Irish pattern. It arose out of a trip to the pub where, after 4 pints of Ruddles County, I had the idea for this fly. I headed home, poured myself a generous measure of Famous Grouse, and tied the fly. On a size 10, tail of golden pheasant crest, fine oval gold tinsel rib, body in 4 parts from the tail - yellow, ginger, fiery brown and claret seals fur, palmered red game cock hackle with a few turns of claret cock hackle in front. I called it the Ruddled Grouse, and it has caught fish every time I've used it in Ireland, and often has been the star of the week.
With many of the classic traditional patterns it is easy to see how they got their names. They are tied in "families" and I suspect that someone ran out of a certain material - eg mallard bronze, and tied up the fly using the next best thing and there we have the grouse family.
My long term boat partner, whenever he feels he's struggling to catch, will announce his intention to fish the Gentleman's Nymph . . . to you and I, a large Dognobbler!
To continue Jeltz's theme, perhaps naming flies after what they've unintentionally hooked, I can offer a broad range of suggestions from my night-time sea trout exploits . . .
Swift Fly
Bat Fly
Horse Fly - or Night Mare
The Bullock Bolt - down to the backing in seconds
Sheep Flies - a range of Woolly Bu66ers!
To continue Jeltz's theme, perhaps naming flies after what they've unintentionally hooked, I can offer a broad range of suggestions from my night-time sea trout exploits . . .
Swift Fly
Bat Fly
Horse Fly - or Night Mare
The Bullock Bolt - down to the backing in seconds
Sheep Flies - a range of Woolly Bu66ers!
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