One of the oldest and most effective wet flies in the American tradition. The peacock herl body, coachman brown hackle, and paired mallard wing suggest caddis and mayfly emergers being swept along in the current.
1. Thread base — Attach black thread behind the eye and build a base to the bend.
2. Tag (optional) — Wrap 4–6 turns of gold wire at the bend as a tag.
3. Body — Twist 2–3 peacock herls together and wind a full, round body from the bend to the 3/4 point. Tie off.
4. Hackle — Tie in a coachman brown hackle and wind 2–3 turns as a wet-fly collar. Sweep the fibers back and secure.
5. Wing — Select two matched sections of gray mallard flank or wing quill. Tie in as a paired, downwing style, tent-wing, extending to the hook bend.
6. Head — Build a neat, slightly larger-than-usual wet fly head. Whip finish and apply head cement.
hook
thread
tag
body
hackle
wing
Brachycentrus spp.
Hydropsyche spp.
