Gray Hackle Peacock

Gray Hackle Peacock

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Tying Instructions

1. Start the thread wraps with some space behind the eye. Attach the Gold Tinsel tag just in front of the point of the hook.

2. Wrap the tag towards the bend of the hook just beyond the hook barb and wrap back to the starting point. Trim the tag piece and secure with thread wraps.

3. Clip a number of red hackle fibers and even the tips. Attach the fibers to the top of the shank where the tag tie in position will be. The length of the tail should be less than the shank length. Trim the butts and secure with thread wraps.

4. Attach three herls by the tips at the tail tie-in position .

5. Chenille the herls around the thread for strength and wrap the herl chenille forward to the 2/3 position on the shank.

6. Dub the thread for a thorax.

7. Wrap the dubbing into a tight ball just in front of the body leaving room behind the eye for the hackle and head.

8. Prepare the hackle from a partridge feather. Trim off the basal web fibers and separate the desired number of hackle fibers by stroking the fibers downward from the tip. The remaining tip is clipped just above these fibers leaving a small triangular section that is attached to the shank. Attach the partridge feather so the the curvature of the feather faces the rear of the fly.

9. Stroke the partridge fibers back with your index finger and thumb of your left hand. Attach hackle pliers to the butt stem and wrap twice stroking the fibers backwards. Secure the butt just behind the eye with thread wraps.

10. Trim the butt stem and cover with thread wraps for a head. Whip Finish.

Materials to Order Material, click the link
Hook	Daiichi 1710 #10-16
Thread	Danville Black 6/0
Tag	Narrow Gold Tinsel
Body	Peacock Herl
Tail	Red Hackle fibers
Thorax	Peacock Black Ice Dubbing
Hackle	Natural Partridge Hackle

Gray Hackle Peacock

The Gray Hackle Peacock is a soft hackle wet fly that was one of the earliest flies tied. It originated sometime in the 1700’s. The fly resembles emerging caddis pupa. Some patterns will withhold a thorax section and will substitute the Partridge for Grizzly Hen Hackle. By using a partridge hackle, a dubbed thorax will assist in supporting the hackle in a upright position. Partridge, having less web than the Grizzly Hen Hackle, will give the fly better movement within the current drift.

Presentation

Mainly fished on slow drifts in streams were the fly is swung up and across the stream and allowed to drift with the current. The rod tip should follow the fly’s position. The fly will reach the end of the line and swing in an arc towards the side of the caster. Strikes will often occur during the beginning of the swing. Short, slow strips give the fly the appearance of an emerging insect. Strip up-current until it is recast.

On faster water, the cast will have to be at a angle downstream. Constant mending will need to be used to slow the swing of the fly. Since the fly is being retrieved upstream, it is easy to pull the hook away from the trout’s mouth. Try to keep the hook sharp and use a slip strike to set the hook. Bring the rod tip to the side rather than straight up when setting the hook.

Grey Hackle Yellow

Hook	Daiichi 1710 #14-18
Thread	Danville Black 6/0
Tag	Narrow Gold Tinsel
Ribbing	Extra Small Gold Wire
Body	Yellow Floss
Tail	Red Hackle fibers
Thorax	Yellow Haretron Dubbing
Hackle	Natural Partridge Hackle