Wood Duck Heron Fly
a.k.a. the Wood Duck & Orange
Hook: 2X to 3X long Nymph/Streamer hook. (The size
of your wood duck will dictate your hook size.
I usually tie mine on a Size #6 or #8 hook.)
Tying
thread: 6/0 or 8/0
thread. Color of choice. (I usually tie mine with UTC wood duck or fluorescent
orange thread.)
Wing: Natural Lemon Wood Duck or
dyed imitation.
Collar: Light Dun Hen neck or saddle hackle. (Or use color of choice.)
This
streamer is a regional favorite of New Hampshire. It was originally developed by Mr. Nick
Lambou of Manchester, New Hampshire.
Only 4 materials are needed to tie it, hook, thread, wood duck, &
hen hackle. A simple tie that really
produces. When tied with an Orange
collar it’s known as the Wood Duck & Orange, a particularly effective fly
for steelhead & land locked salmon, as well as trout. In the streamer age of ‘Bigger is better’
& ‘Articulated is best’, I’ll take this smaller traditional pattern any
day!
To
tie this fly, begin by wrapping your thread behind the eye to approximately the
half way point of your hook shaft. Make
sure the wraps are even. That will help
when your wood duck and collar are wrapped.
Next select a wood duck feather.
It should be long enough to extend about ½ hook shank length beyond the
bend. Your going to stroke the fibers of
the feather back and tie it in at the middle of the hook shank by the tip. Preen the fibers back so that both sides are
married and pointing back to the bend of the hook. With a set of hackle pliers palmer/wind the
feather forward, stroking back the fibers with your free hand as you go. Bring the feather forward and tie it off, but
make sure you leave room behind the eye for your collar. Next select a dun hen
feather to use for your collar. Just as
you did with the wood duck, stroke the fibers back and tie it in by the tip. Preen the fibers back so that both sides are
married and pointing back to the bend of the hook. With a set of hackle pliers palmer/wind the
feather forward, stroking back the fibers with your free hand as you go. You want to form a nice collar. It should take 4-5 wraps. Now, tie off and clip the feather. Next, form a neat head with your thread
behind the eye. Apply some head cement
& your ready to fish your creation.
Below is an excellent video on how
to tie this fly from Stone River Outfitters:
If you have any questions about
this fly or would like to submit a Fly of the Month I can be reached at 203
305-3850 or at pdinice@frontier.com .
