Paul's October 2018 Fly of the Month

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 .