Lots on this page, including, Skier, Skirmisher, Skirrows Fancy, Snarehill, Stevenson, Tartan, Thunderer, Tilibouries, Tricolour, Vero, Wasp, Wattie Plants, Winnie, William Brown's Don flies, WM's Don flies, Yellow Parson. Scroll down to see 'em all.
Skier
WM - 12th July, 1884, “The Dee (Aberdeenshire) Grilse Flies - Evening Flies”, Fishing Gazette
Tag: Silver tinsel.
Tail: A bunch of tippet, double and upright.
Body: Black floss.
Ribbed: Flat silver tinsel, 5 turns.
Wings: Single strips of white turkey.
Hackle: Black, half-way up body.
Head: Black.
Limericks, Nos. 5, 6, and 7.
Skirmisher
Kelson – The Salmon Fly, 1885
Tag: Silver twist and light yellow silk.
Tail: Toucan, with two strips of ibis.
Butt: Black herl.
Body: Two turns of light dirty-orange silk, followed by dirty-orange seal’s fur, well picked out.
Ribs: Silver tinsel (oval).
Throat: Coch-a-bonddu hackle tinged in Bismark brown.
Wings: Golden pheasant tail and peacock herl mixed in strands.
Sides: Teal and ibis married.
Horns: Blue macaw.
Head: Black herl.
Rivers: Tweed, Usk Earn and Don. Kelson attributes the pattern to himself.
Hardy – Salmon Fishing, 1907
Tag: Silver tinsel; light yellow floss.
Tail: Toucan; ibis.
Butt: Black herl.
Body: Two turns light dirty orange floss followed by orange seal’s fur.
Ribs: Silver tinsel.
Throat: Cock-a-bonddu tinged in Bismark brown.
Wings: Golden pheasant tail; peacock herl.
Sides: Teal, ibis.
Horns: Blue macaw.
Head: Black.
Skirrow's Fancy
Kelson – The Salmon Fly, 1885
Tag: Silver twist.
Tail: A topping and Indian crow.
Butt: Black herl.
Body: Two turns of red seal’s fur, followed by blue seal’s fur.
Ribs: Silver tinsel.
Hackle: Blue hackle, from second turn.
Throat: Jay.
Wings: Double strips of teal.
An old Tweed patter much sought after on the Dee when dressed small. Kelson attributes the pattern to Rev. W. Skirrow.
Hardy – Salmon Fishing, 1907
Tag: Silver tinsel.
Tail: Topping; Indian crow.
Butt: Black herl.
Body: Two turns red seal’s fur followed by black seal’s fur.
Ribs: Silver tinsel.
Hackle: Blue.
Throat: Jay
Wings: Double strips of teal.
Head: Black.
Snarehill
Frederick Hill – Salmon Fishing – The Greased Line on Dee, Don and Earn 1948
Tag: Oval gold
Tail: Topping
Body: Red and blue silk in equal parts, rib gold embossed tinsel.
Hackle: Mixed dark blue and red.
Wing: White tipped brown turkey, strips of blue and red swan, mallard, topping and jungle cock.
Hills describes this fly as a large fly for the early part of the season in sizes 7/0 to No. 4.
Stevenson
Kelson – The Salmon Fly, 1885
Tag: Silver twist and light blue silk.
Tail: Topping, and strands if tippet.
Butt: Black herl.
Body: Two turns of orange silk, followed by orange seal’s fur.
Ribs: Silver lace and silver tinsel.
Hackle: Orange hackle, from orange silk.
Throat: Light blue hackle.
Wings: Four double tippets (back to back) enveloping two extended Jungle; and a topping.
Sides: Jungle.
Horns: Blue macaw.
Head: Black wool.
Rivers: Tweed, Tay, Spey, Don, Wye, Blackwater, and Lochy. Kelson attributes the pattern to Wright.
Hardy – Salmon Fishing, 1907
Tag: Silver tinsel; light blue floss.
Tail: Topping; tippet.
Butt: Black herl.
Body: Two turns of orange floss followed by orange seal’s fur.
Ribs: Silver lace; silver tinsel.
Hackle: Orange.
Throat: Light blue.
Wings: Four double tippets enveloping two extended jungle cock feathers; Topping.
Sides: Jungle cock.
Horns: Blue macaw.
Head: Black wool.
Tartan
Henry Wade – Halcyon – 1861
Wings: Dark speckled brown of turkey’s tail, mixed with twelve peacock’s herls.
Body: A mix of every imaginable colour, forked with dark fibres of mallard’s feather.
Hackles: Blood red.
Rib: Gold twist.
Shoulder: copper coloured mohair.
Tip: Forks of dark fibres of mallard’s feather.
The body of this fly is made with each colour separate, from yellow to black.
I love this description from Francis Francis
Francis Francis – A book on Angling
Tag: Gold tinsel.
Tail: Gold pheasant rump.
Body: Half orange and half scarlet-red mohair laid on sparely, of course; broadish gold tinsel also spare.
Hackle: First a stripped sandy-red cock’s hackle (that is, only one side of it to be used, the other being stripped off), and on top of this, the large blue-grey hackle or feather from the heron’s back and rump; the larger the better, they cannot be too large, as when the hackle is laid on, the fibres are expected to extend from the very head to the farthest bend of the hook. It is an awkward feather to lay on, as are all heron hackles, being very delicate. It should be tied in, to commence from as low down as it can be conveniently tied so as to leave enough for a good thick brush from the head. If in winding on the hackle, any of the red hackle fibres under it be wound in, they must be picked out afterwards with the needle, and put in their proper position. At the shoulder, a teal hackle of course.
Wings: Two strips of silver-grey mottled turkey (the small mottled feather); these feathers are not easy to get.
When the fly is finished, and before it is properly pressed down into shape, it looks like an enormous spider, or daddy longlegs; it certainly is a monstrosity, though, after all, not such a monstrosity as the Eagle. The Tartan is a strange looking fly and is rather a troublesome fly to dress. From Mr. Browns Dee patterns.
WM – 23rd Feb, 1884, “The Dee Aberdeenshire Flies (2nd Article)”, Fishing Gazette
Tag: Silver tinsel.
Tail: red cock feather.
Body: One turn orange, two turns blue, and three turns claret mohair.
Ribbing: Silver tinsel, broad.
Hackle: Grey heron (sparingly) down body. Shoulder: Teal.
Wing: Distinctly marked black and white turkey.
Head: Black.
WM - 8th Mar, 1884, Fishing Gazette
Tag: silver tinsel
Tail: Golden pheasant, saddle feather.
Body: Either orange and scarlet mohair in equal proportion, or two turns orange, two turns scarlet, and two turns blue mohair.
Ribbing: gold tinsel.
Hackle: Grey heron, partly down body.
Shoulder: Teal.
Wings: Mottled turkey of brownish shade.
Head: Black.
Hardy – Salmon Fishing, 1907
Tag: Gold tinsel.
Tail: Golden pheasant rump feather.
Body: Orange and scarlet red mohair in equal parts.
Ribs: Gold tinsel.
Hackle: Blue, grey and red, using only one side of them.
Wings: Two strips of silver grey mottled turkey.
Head: Black.
Tricolour
A trio of vintage Dee standards
Walbran - The British Angler - 1889
Tag, Silver thread; tail, golden pheasant’s red rump feather.
Body: A couple of turns each of yellow, light blue, and turkey red mohair (well picked our).
Ribbed: Broad silver tinsel and silver twist.
Hackle: Long grey heron’s (dressed full), with teal at shoulder, and also between the wings.
Wings: Either white, sandy, or cream colour, according to fancy.
Head: varnished.
One of Mr. Murdoch’s Dee Patterns.
Kelson – The Salmon Fly, 1885
Tag: Silver twist.
Tail: Red breast of the golden pheasant.
Body: Yellow, light blue, and scarlet seal’s fur.
Ribs: Silver lace and silver tinsel.
Hackle: Natural grey heron, from blue fur.
Throat: Widgeon (teal, large patterns)
Wings: Two strips of plain, cinnamon turkey.
A standard pattern on the Dee, which, when dressed with a red breast hackle of the golden pheasant and with two white (strips) wings, is known by the name of “The Killer”.
Hardy – Salmon Fishing, 1907
Tag: Silver tinsel.
Tail: Red breast feather of golden pheasant.
Body: Yellow, light blue and scarlet seal’s fur.
Ribs: Silver lace; silver tinsel.
Hackle: Grey heron.
Throat: Widgeon.
Wings: Two strips of plain cinnamon turkey.
Head: Black
Pryce-Tannatt - How to Dress Salmon Flies, 1914
Tag: Silver tinsel.
Tail: A topping and the tip of a golden pheasant’s breast feather.
Body: Pale yellow, light blue and scarlet seal’s fur in equal sections.
Ribs: Flat silver tinsel and twist.
Hackle: A grey heron’s hackle from third turn of tinsel.
Throat: Teal.
Wings: A pair of cinnamon turkey tail strips (set flat).
Hook: 1½ to 3 inches.
Vero
WM – 13th Sep, 1884, “Salmon and Grilse Dee Flies For Summer Use”, Fishing Gazette.
Tag: Silver thread and yellow floss.
Tail: A small topping.
Butt: Black herl.
Body: Blue (Peacock) silk floss.
Ribbed: Silver twist – five turns.
Wings: Double strips of mallard; topping over.
Hackle: Magenta; well down body.
Shoulder: A small quantity of teal.
Head: Black.
Double Limericks, 5, 6, and 7 in size.
The parentage of this fly is claimed by one of our most experienced and skilled Dee anglers. Used for grilse the Vero gives good account of itself.
Wasp
A fly for fishing tied by Guy Heard
WM – 9th Aug, 1884, “The Dee (Aberdeenshire) Grilse Flies (third article)”, Fishing Gazette
Tag: Silver tinsel
Tail: Small topping
Body: Yellow mohair well picked out
Ribbed: Black twist, 5 turns
Hackle: Cork-y-bondu
Wings: Double strips of mallard
Head: Black
Sizes, 6, 7, and 8, suitable for salmon, grilse or sea trout
WM describes this pattern as “an old Dee pattern”.
The Winnie
Tied by Australian Bob Frandsen
The William Brown “Don Flies”
Francis Francis – A Book on Angling, 1867
The Don empts itself a very short distance from the Dee, but no two rivers can well be more dissimilar. The Dee running through the wildest moorland and mountain scenery and having no trout in it worth notice, and the Don running through beautiful pastoral and well tilled districts, and looking more like a Hampshire than a Highland salmon stream, and containing perhaps as fine trout as any river in Scotland. Yet the salmon seem to like very similar flies ; a small reduction in point of size being made. The Don flies are not so large as those for the Aberdeen Dee, though after the same fashion. Indeed, smallish Dee flies are fair sized Don flies; and, as on the Dee, the gled wings and tartans are standard flies on Don, and are varied by using brown or grey mallard wings. Beyond these are:
FF Don Fly Number 1
All flies in this series tied by Bob F
Tag: Silver tinsel.
Tail: A few fibers of gold pheasant rump and a small tuft of yellow crewel.
But: Black ostrich herl.
Body: Black pigs wool.
Ribbed: Silver twist.
Hackle: Black with blue jay on shoulder.
Wings: Gled or Dun turkey strips.
Size 7 to 10.
FF Don Fly Number 2
Tag: Silver tinsel.
Tail: A few fibres of gold pheasant rump and a small tuft of yellow crewel.
But: Black ostrich herl.
Body: About two fifths dark red and three fifths dark blue pig.
Hackle: (Only at shoulder) light blue, and over it a short grouse hackle.
Wings: Strips of the red of dun turkey feather speckled with black.
Size 7 to 10.
FF Don Fly Number 3
Tag: Gold tinsel.
Tail: A small tuft of orange crewel.
Body: Two thirds orange and one third black pig.
Ribbed: Narrow gold tinsel.
Hackle: (only half way down), a large coch y bondu hackle, with well marked centre.
Wings: strips of grey mallard with brownish points.
Size 9 to 10.
Also described as a standard for the Deveron.
FF Don Fly Number 4
Tail: A few fibbers of gold pheasant rump.
Body: Half yellow and half medium red pig’s wool.
Ribbing: Gold twist.
Hackle: Only half way down, a small black heron’s hackle, just long enough in the fibre to cover the point, and barb.
Wings: Grey mallard with a trifle more brown at the tip than pattern 3.
Size 9 to 11.
Also described as a standard for the Deveron.
FF Don Fly Number 5
Tail: A small topping.
Body: Purple claret pig’s wool.
Ribbed: Silver twist.
Hackle: Black heron dressed spare, and only on the shoulder, but longer in fibre than the bend of the hook.
Wings: Two strips of gled or red turkey.
Also described as a standard for the Deveron.
FF Don Fly Number 6
Tag: Gold tinsel.
Tail: A small bit of topping.
Body: brown-orange mohair.
Ribbed: Gold tinsel.
Hackle: Blue heron’s hackle fibres to extend to about the bend of the hook.
Wings: Two strips of bright speckled grey turkey.
Size 9 to 11,
Also described as a standard for the Deveron.
The “WM” Don Flies
WM - 10th May, 1884, “Don Flies”, Fishing Gazette
In the matter of flies the inference of a stranger, even an experienced angler, on visiting first the Don and then the Dee, would naturally be that for these rivers they must differ much in character and appearance. Two rivers running almost parallel for the greater part, and debouching within a couple of miles of each other, could not well be more dissimilar in general aspect. Yet, barring a few minor details, the flies found suitable for the one prove equally so for the other. Claret (fiery), orange, and black, in the order named, are the best Dee flies; orange, yellow, and yellow intermixed with light brown, the best Don colours. A fly with strip ginger speckled turkey wings; pretty bushy teal hackles round the shoulder, and mohair body of the last named colours blended, invariably kills well on the Don, and stands fully as high in the estimation as any other pattern. On the whole, the Don requires to be fished deep – we mean the fly has to be well sunk; hence the necessity for using pretty heavy irons generally. Scarcely any of the Dee patterns, if dressed on short weighty irons and abundantly hackled, not long but full, are unsuitable for the Don. The “Grey Heron,” already described in the Gazette under the heading of “Dee Flies,” facile princeps the Don killer over a long range of the river’s course. On the Don brazed double irons are little used; on the Dee they a greatly in vogue, especially during the grilse season. The longer and slenderer the hook in proportion to the size of fly require the better for Dee use, unless in heavy water; for Don angling the ordinary Limerick strongly made is better under any circumstance whatever. Generally speaking, a rich full hackle, not too long, is most suitable for Don flies, and a long fibred sparse hackle for Dee flies. Don flies are often considerably improved if the mohair is fairly well picked out, not however, to such an extent as in some of the Dee patterns. The tinsel of all genuine Dee and Don patterns, except of the fancy order, is wound on in spiral form, closely or openly, as the case may be, they are, therefore, free from butts and jointings. Still, in many case, they are none the more easily dressed, as those who have tried will be able to testify. “Jock Scott,” “Childers,” “Butcher,” “Popham,” and claret-hackled “Thunder and Lightning” are excellent Don killers of the strictly fancy order. These well-known and pretty general favourites require no further notice. The yellow eagle for evening fishing on the Don is as much in favour as the “Gordon,” “Grey,” and “white eagles” are on the Dee. It may seem incredible that the “Gordon,” such a slaughterer – the greatest – on the Dee, should be almost ignored by Don anglers, Yet such is the case, though for what reason we cannot explain. We have now the pleasure of giving a detailed description of a number of selected Don patterns :-
WM Don Fly Number 1 (all the flies in this series are illustrated by flies tied by Bob Fransden on antique 3/0 Allcock hooks)
Tag: Fine gold thread and light blue floss.
Tail: a topping, about an inch in length, and a small golden pheasant tippet.
Butt: Black ostrich herl.
Body: Yellow and black mohair, finely laid, one third yellow and two-thirds black.
Ribbed: Silver twist.
Hackle: Common cock – yellow down the yellow, black down the black part of the body, fibre longish.
Shoulder: A long and full guinea-fowl hackle
Wings: In strands, mottled turkey, yellowish dyed, ginger speckled turkey, mallard, pheasant and bustard, three strips of yellow swan, on either side and one on top, a large topping over all.
Cheeks: Jungle.
Head: Black herl.
WM Don Fly Number 2
Tag: Silver twist and blue floss.
Tail: A topping and Indian crow.
Butt: Black ostrich herl.
Body: One turn orange floss, three turns yellow mohair, one turn crimson mohair.
Ribbed: Flat silver tinsel, broad and laid on pretty thickly.
Wings: In strands, ginger speckled turkey, black and white striped turkey, pheasant, bustard and parrot, red, blue and yellow swan, powdered blue macaw, and a topping over all.
Shoulder: Teal round shoulder in fair quantity.
Cheeks: Blue chatterer.
Head: Black herl.
WM Don Fly Number 3
Tag: Silver tinsel and pale green floss.
Tail: Golden pheasant saddle feather, full and long.
Body: Three turns blue and two turns orange mohair, well picked out.
Ribbed: Narrow silver tinsel, exactly six turns.
Wings: Mixed, ginger speckled turkey, yellow swan, bustard, pheasant, teal, and mallard. Sparse black heron hackle close to head.
Shoulder: Teal
Head: Black.
WM Don Fly Number 4
Tag: Gold twist.
Tail: Golden pheasant saddle feather and greenish herl.
Body: one turn yellow, two turns green, and three turns scarlet mohair: flat gold tinsel, laid on pretty thickly.
Hackle: Yellow hackle of longish fibber well down body.
Wings: Light brow turkey.
Shoulder: Guinea fowl. Head: Black
WM Don Fly Number 5
Tag: Gold twist.
Tail: A few fibbers greenish herl, and a couple of jungles.
Body: Very dark orange mohair; flat gold tinsel.
Wings: Strips of brown and black turkey, with white tips, speckled; between these about a dozen fibbers bronze peacock herl.
Hackle: A coch-y-bonddu down body.
Shoulder: Guinea fowl rather sparingly round shoulder.
Head: Black.
WM Don Fly Number 6
Tag: Silver tinsel about a quarter of an inch in extent.
Tail: Fibbers of golden pheasant tippet.
Body: Mouse, red and dark brown mohair in equal proportions;
Ribbing: Narrow silver tinsel three turns.
Wings: Light brown turkey strips with black tips.
Shoulder: Black heron hackle.
Head: Black head.
WM Don Fly Number 7
Tail: A small topping and Indian crow.
Body: Three turns bright yellow and two turns red mohair.
Ribbing: Narrow silver tinsel five turns.
Wings: Sand coloured turkey strips.
Hackle: Yellow cock hackle well down body.
Shoulder: Teal.
Head: Black.
WM Don Fly Number 8
Tag: Silver tinsel and yellow floss.
Tail: a mixture of golden pheasant rump and saddle feathers.
Body: Three turns orange and two turns light blue mohair, well picked out.
Ribbing: Flat medium silver tinsel.
Wings: Brownish barred turkey strips with black tips.
Hackle: Black heron close to head.
Shoulder: Teal.
Head: Black.
WM Don Fly Number 9
Tag: Gold thread.
Tail: A small quantity of black heron.
Body: Black mohair.
Ribbing: Silver and gold tinsel alternatively.
Wings: Strips of mallard.
Hackle: Very long black heron completely down body.
Shoulder: Teal
Head: Black.
WM Don Fly Number 10
Tag: Silver tinsel.
Tail: A small topping.
Body: Two turns orange, one turn red, and two turns dark brown mohair, well picked out.
Ribbing: Five turns flat medium silver tinsel.
Wings: Two strips rich brown turkey with black bar and white tip.
Hackle: Black heron from red mohair.
Shoulder: Teal.
Head: Black.
WM Don Fly Number 11
Tag: Silver thread and yellow floss.
Tail: A small topping.
Body: orange and black floss – orange about quarter of an inch – the rest black.
Ribbing: silver tinsel and gold flat worm.
Wings: Two strips rich brown turkey with black bar and white tip.
Hackle: Black heron halfway down the body rather sparingly.
Shoulder: Claret hackle not very full.
Head: Black.
WM Don Fly Number 12
Tag: Gold thread.
Tail: Fibbers of tippet longish and full.
Body: Orange and light brown mohair equally; broad gold tinsel four turns.
Wings: Light brown turkey strips.
Hackle: Red cock hackle half way down body and very full at shoulder.
Head: Black.
Yellow Parson
Kelson – The Salmon Fly, 1885
Tag: Silver twist and violet silk.
Tail: A topping and tippet strands.
Body: Two turns of yellow silk, followed by yellow seal’s fur.
Ribs: Silver tinsel (oval).
Hackle: Yellow hackle from silk.
Throat: Scarlet hackle, veiled with two small toppings.
Wings: Two tippets (back to back), a strip of summer duck on each side, and two toppings.
Horns: Blue macaw.
Cheeks: Chatterer.
An old Usk fly, used also on the Thurso, Wye, and Don.
Hardy – Salmon Fishing, 1907
Tag: Silver tinsel; violet floss.
Tail: Topping; tippet.
Body: Two turns of yellow floss followed by yellow seal’s fur.
Hackle: Yellow.
Throat: Scarlet and two toppings.
Wings: Two tippets; summer duck and two toppings.
Cheeks: Chatterer.
Horns: Blue macaw.
Head: Black.
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