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American
River
Purple Peril
Last year at
the ISE show I was tying some steelhead flies. These are some of my
favorite flies to tie. Steelhead flies are easy to tie, have that
classic look and, with bright or very contrasting colors, they are
eye catchers. The flies got a lot of attention and I received a lot
of compliments about them. This version of the Purple Peril was one
of the crowd favorites and the women just adored it.
I evolved the
pattern while at the show and never did fish it that year. I have
several in my box along with some freight trains, coal cars, green
butt skunks, royal coachmen, wets and others; none of which get used
very much because I don’t swing that often. I mostly just admire
them when reaching for a Hackle 3D or egg pattern, and they do look
cool.
Fly tying is
not always functional; sometimes I just sit at the vise and tie
things that will never get wet, just to enjoy the art and relaxation
of the hobby. This fly is one that is both; it can be an artwork and
a work horse. The Purple Peril is sturdy and beautiful at the same
time. I hope to hear that many fish admire this fly as much as I do.
Materials:
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Hook:
Mustad #7989
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Thread:
Black 6/o
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Tag: Med.
silver mylar tinsel
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Tail:
golden pheasant crest feather
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Rib: Med.
French tinsel
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Body:
Purple angler’s choice mohair plus or angora goat dubbing
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Hackle:
Black soft
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Wing: White
calf tail
Instructions:
1.
Place hook in vise and smash the barb
2.
Tie in the thread at the ½ way point and wrap back to the point.
3.
Tie in a 4” piece mylar tinsel wrap it to the rear of the hook three
turns, and then forward over the top of it self for 4 turns.
4.
Select a golden Pheasant crest feather and smash the stem flat so it
will lie on the hook shank with the tip curving up to the rear of
the fly.
5.
Tie in a piece of French tinsel
6.
Dub a body stopping about 1/16 of an inch behind where the split eye
begins.
7.
Wrap the silver tinsel forward in a spiral. Tie off and clip the tag
end.
8.
Select a soft hackle with barbs 2 times the gap. Tie it in tip
pointing to the rear of the fly shiny side to you.
9.
Make three or four turns of hackle right in front of the body. Tie
off and clip the tip.
10.
Three finger sweep and tie down with three wraps of thread.
11.
Clip a clump of calf tail hair and pull out the shorties and the
long straggly ones. Tie it in right in front of the hackle. Use soft
loops to hold it in place and tie it tight clip the butts close to
the hook shank, and make a smooth taper. Glue.
12.
Wrap a smooth head and whip finish.
13.
Glue the head. I use at least two coats
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