This is a Maine streamer fly tied to imitate smelt for brook trout and landlocked salmon. It was originated by Dr. Herb Sanborn of Waterville Maine, who was my wife's great uncle. The way of tying it with the green feathers flatwing style was something he did to give it a little wiggle action when trolling it behind a boat on a lake, which remains a popular method of fishing streamers in Maine. It's funny that you mentioned long hooks and fish attacking the head of flies because Dr. Sanborn tied it as a tandem hook streamer to reduce "short strikes" at the tail of streamers. The fly got it's name from the nine pound three ounce landlocked salmon caught on one the first day he fished it. Thanks for the video, I always have a few nine-threes in my streamer box.
Loved your story! I am still trying to reconcile the bright green color though unless it's a green rock worm caddis ;) I also use a trailing hook because in cold water in lakes, most rainbow trout will hit the trailer on a slowly fished streamer. Cheers!
I think we learn a lot from the old school flies. Also from experimentation. Love the paddle tail. Like to see you put together a experimental fly sometime. Maybe the guys give you a list of material and you put a fly together and explain what you expect it to do. Thanks. The videos just keep getting better.
I've been tying and fishing that pattern, and the Black Ghost for more than 55 years ... they are my favorites. I first learned about many of the streamer patterns from one of the first fly tying books I ever bought ... Streamer Fly Tying & Fishing by Joseph D. Bates Jr 1st Edition1950 and 1966. It's a wealth of information on the patterns and the originators. Take care. I also have a newer version that was copyrighted in 1995 by Pamela Bates Richards with updated material.
Oh can we agree to differ? Land Locked Salmon here in Maine have been filmed attacking schools of smelt and streamers while trolled and traditionally retrieved. Nearly 100% of the strikes were from behind. Hence the tradition of our tandem trolling streamers and long shank hooks. My largest LL Salmon and Brook Trout were both on 9-3 streamers just how Dr. Sanborn had created it. Carrie Stevens is the top royal of streamer construction and blending materials. The action of her feather wing creations have not since been matched by any tier known. Though we try. I'm sure Dr. Sanborn would be marveled that his fly is still one of the best in spring time from coast to coast, no matter how or who fastens feather, fur and tinsel to hook. Tight lines and fair winds.
Agreed. Here in maine 99.9% of salmon and brook trout hit it from behind. Even when I fish articulated flies here, nearly every single strike is in the back hook. I have flies that only have a stinger hook off the back much like an intruder. I cut the front hooks so it's legal for ffo waters
I used to think Kelly was a bit of a wingnut (watching his video with Jack Dennis on the Wind River) but after watching his videos it is very apparent that he really knows his stuff. He really is knowledgeable about the history of the sport but not afraid to keep up on the latest techniques. Example: guys used to tell me to use shorter tails on my wooly buggers but I found that to be nonsense and Kelly tells why in this video.
Feel like the fly tying world is complete. I got into the game ages late. I make my own flies and catch fish regularly with them, but they are usually copies or slight variations of existing patterns. I'd love to come up with my own like these guys have, but every time I think I may be "onto something" its already been done.
So great! Going to work on a few of these for sure because honestly.. I dont know that Ive ever set a traditional wing before. How are you guys fishing this? Would you fish this the same way we always fish (jerk strips, jigs etc etc) or are you swinging em?
Kelly, in one way. We don't actually. Have to make this. That complicated (at least, for once). When we talk about colors. Think about the conventional tackle angling side of it. While they do have this block of wood (a lot of gear lures are made out of prototype blocks of wood, polystyrene, various soft synthetics and so forth). In order to develop. A characteristic swim action. Swim depth. Weight distribution (including the actual weight, of hooks hanging from the bait lure). And all of it.
Guys really go to a lot of effort. When it comes to engineering. Of a functional bait lure. And the 'angler'. The consumer does not pay for the plastic and hooks. That come in the bait lure box package. At the end of the day. The idea of bait lure manufacture. Is to pay for. The process of research and development. The sheer number of bait lure hours. That goes into. Making one of those things. That works.
Somewhere a long the way. In fly fishing. We might have lost that message. In communication. Where we tolerated. We accepted. For a long time. The really bad 'Grey Ghost' fly knock-off's. And all of the rest of it. To borrow a phrase. That Kelly might use. To describe. Even one of his own fishing flies. It would not catch. A starving trout. We bought into a lot of that. In fly fishing. For some strange reason. That anglers in the conventional gear tackle side of it. Never did.
And it's one of these strange mysteries. As to why. That happened. Why were bait lure anglers. Really anxious. To fish good lures. And good baits. A lot more of the time. Than fly anglers. We'll never know. Although sometimes. It is true. You'll end up catching some trout. On a fly. That is almost worn down to zero feathers. And you'll look at it. After you've released. One of your best ever fishing catches. And you'll ask yourself. What in the name of all. That is holy. Did that fish. See in that fly?
But I think. In relation to the argument. About the 'color' of the fishing fly. After the bait lure tackle designer. Has gone through. The entire pipeline and process. Of their research and development efforts. Where they are using. This non-colored. Pieces of hard plastic, wood, soft plastic. Or some weird combination. Of all of the above. After they've invested. Months and months. Worth of time in the workshop. Time on the water. Time in the workshop. And so on. After all of that. They end up with something. That is interesting to fish. They've still only got. A plane neutral looking. Piece of timber. There is 'no color' added.
Kelly - love your flies BUT ... this is the last of your videos I’ll be viewing. You take 30 minutes to say what should take 10 minutes at most. Wish it wasn’t so ...
Couldn’t disagree more. The longer the better. Kelly is one of the 🐐 of the fly fishing/tying world. Every video is full of knowledge and wisdom from years of experience and he is just giving it away. Don’t listen to the haters Kelly. This is the best fly fishing/tying content anywhere.
To really learn something takes time and a range of thoughts. The world is full of sixty second "experts". Real lessons are better taken with time to ponder. It works well in my work
This is a Maine streamer fly tied to imitate smelt for brook trout and landlocked salmon. It was originated by Dr. Herb Sanborn of Waterville Maine, who was my wife's great uncle. The way of tying it with the green feathers flatwing style was something he did to give it a little wiggle action when trolling it behind a boat on a lake, which remains a popular method of fishing streamers in Maine. It's funny that you mentioned long hooks and fish attacking the head of flies because Dr. Sanborn tied it as a tandem hook streamer to reduce "short strikes" at the tail of streamers. The fly got it's name from the nine pound three ounce landlocked salmon caught on one the first day he fished it. Thanks for the video, I always have a few nine-threes in my streamer box.
Loved your story! I am still trying to reconcile the bright green color though unless it's a green rock worm caddis ;) I also use a trailing hook because in cold water in lakes, most rainbow trout will hit the trailer on a slowly fished streamer. Cheers!
Awesome! Love the old school stuff! Keep em coming! Have a good weekend!
Nice variation of an old school fly that is still fished here on Lake Sebago and the Rangeley area lakes.
I think we learn a lot from the old school flies. Also from experimentation. Love the paddle tail. Like to see you put together a experimental fly sometime. Maybe the guys give you a list of material and you put a fly together and explain what you expect it to do. Thanks. The videos just keep getting better.
I've been tying and fishing that pattern, and the Black Ghost for more than 55 years ... they are my favorites. I first learned about many of the streamer patterns from one of the first fly tying books I ever bought ... Streamer Fly Tying & Fishing by Joseph D. Bates Jr 1st Edition1950 and 1966. It's a wealth of information on the patterns and the originators. Take care. I also have a newer version that was copyrighted in 1995 by Pamela Bates Richards with updated material.
Another great video!! This is a nice looking fly. I am going to try for the perch look. Should be fun.
Awesome and as always a great video!! Thanks for sharing!! Stay safe!!
Oh can we agree to differ? Land Locked Salmon here in Maine have been filmed attacking schools of smelt and streamers while trolled and traditionally retrieved. Nearly 100% of the strikes were from behind. Hence the tradition of our tandem trolling streamers and long shank hooks. My largest LL Salmon and Brook Trout were both on 9-3 streamers just how Dr. Sanborn had created it. Carrie Stevens is the top royal of streamer construction and blending materials. The action of her feather wing creations have not since been matched by any tier known. Though we try. I'm sure Dr. Sanborn would be marveled that his fly is still one of the best in spring time from coast to coast, no matter how or who fastens feather, fur and tinsel to hook. Tight lines and fair winds.
Agreed. Here in maine 99.9% of salmon and brook trout hit it from behind. Even when I fish articulated flies here, nearly every single strike is in the back hook. I have flies that only have a stinger hook off the back much like an intruder. I cut the front hooks so it's legal for ffo waters
I wholeheartedly agree Mark, , my guess is that Kelly has not fished in Maine , New Hampshire or Vermont.
Love it. Thanks for another great video!!
It would fascinating to learn if your changes to the wings make the fly more attractive to the fish.
@TheSlideinn Kelly love your stuff. I love all the razzing you give Jeremy. Do we ever get to meet that dude?
I used to think Kelly was a bit of a wingnut (watching his video with Jack Dennis on the Wind River) but after watching his videos it is very apparent that he really knows his stuff. He really is knowledgeable about the history of the sport but not afraid to keep up on the latest techniques. Example: guys used to tell me to use shorter tails on my wooly buggers but I found that to be nonsense and Kelly tells why in this video.
Feel like the fly tying world is complete. I got into the game ages late. I make my own flies and catch fish regularly with them, but they are usually copies or slight variations of existing patterns. I'd love to come up with my own like these guys have, but every time I think I may be "onto something" its already been done.
So great! Going to work on a few of these for sure because honestly.. I dont know that Ive ever set a traditional wing before. How are you guys fishing this? Would you fish this the same way we always fish (jerk strips, jigs etc etc) or are you swinging em?
All the above.
You mentioned that we should have this style in our boxes. How do you fish them:swing, strip or jerk strip?
Erratically, lots of darts in 6to 8 inch movements. Its great swing fly as well, but virtually never swing a fly. Thanks, Kelly
Nice streamer Kelly, are the dry's gone for now?
That's it... I'm gonna produce a feature length movie titled "Brown Trout Can't Jump" !!! ;)
Hmmm, only problem is here on the Madison they jump as much as the rainbows? Ahhh they just got that much better. KG
@@TheSlideinn hahah it would be that one river! They must be related to Dick Fosbury. ;)
On the subject of colors.
Kelly, in one way. We don't actually. Have to make this. That complicated (at least, for once). When we talk about colors. Think about the conventional tackle angling side of it. While they do have this block of wood (a lot of gear lures are made out of prototype blocks of wood, polystyrene, various soft synthetics and so forth). In order to develop. A characteristic swim action. Swim depth. Weight distribution (including the actual weight, of hooks hanging from the bait lure). And all of it.
Guys really go to a lot of effort. When it comes to engineering. Of a functional bait lure. And the 'angler'. The consumer does not pay for the plastic and hooks. That come in the bait lure box package. At the end of the day. The idea of bait lure manufacture. Is to pay for. The process of research and development. The sheer number of bait lure hours. That goes into. Making one of those things. That works.
Somewhere a long the way. In fly fishing. We might have lost that message. In communication. Where we tolerated. We accepted. For a long time. The really bad 'Grey Ghost' fly knock-off's. And all of the rest of it. To borrow a phrase. That Kelly might use. To describe. Even one of his own fishing flies. It would not catch. A starving trout. We bought into a lot of that. In fly fishing. For some strange reason. That anglers in the conventional gear tackle side of it. Never did.
And it's one of these strange mysteries. As to why. That happened. Why were bait lure anglers. Really anxious. To fish good lures. And good baits. A lot more of the time. Than fly anglers. We'll never know. Although sometimes. It is true. You'll end up catching some trout. On a fly. That is almost worn down to zero feathers. And you'll look at it. After you've released. One of your best ever fishing catches. And you'll ask yourself. What in the name of all. That is holy. Did that fish. See in that fly?
But I think. In relation to the argument. About the 'color' of the fishing fly. After the bait lure tackle designer. Has gone through. The entire pipeline and process. Of their research and development efforts. Where they are using. This non-colored. Pieces of hard plastic, wood, soft plastic. Or some weird combination. Of all of the above. After they've invested. Months and months. Worth of time in the workshop. Time on the water. Time in the workshop. And so on. After all of that. They end up with something. That is interesting to fish. They've still only got. A plane neutral looking. Piece of timber. There is 'no color' added.
I have a tenant that lives down stairs. He talks, talks and talks and 90% of what he says is drivel.
Kelly - love your flies BUT ... this is the last of your videos I’ll be viewing. You take 30 minutes to say what should take 10 minutes at most. Wish it wasn’t so ...
Although I understand what you're saying. I appreciate the extra knowledge he shares
Could be, but I’ve learned an incredible number of the finer points of fly tying listening to Kelly’s chatter.
Couldn’t disagree more. The longer the better. Kelly is one of the 🐐 of the fly fishing/tying world. Every video is full of knowledge and wisdom from years of experience and he is just giving it away. Don’t listen to the haters Kelly. This is the best fly fishing/tying content anywhere.
To really learn something takes time and a range of thoughts. The world is full of sixty second "experts". Real lessons are better taken with time to ponder. It works well in my work