By Tom Nokes

A fly with a name like this can't be all bad. Where do these names come from, anyway? I like flies that are fast and economical to tie as well as productive and versatile. This fly more than qualifies on all counts. It catches fish in still water or streams and is basically all one material, peacock herl. Peacock herl is unmatched for lifelike irridescence. It is in everyone's top ten materials list, I'm sure. The only problem with peacock herl is that it breaks easily and won't last for many fish unless you select good quality herl near the eye and rib it on the hook. Good quality herl is still very inexpensive. Another technique is to wrap the herl around the thread and then wrap the thread and herl together around the hook. Then, if the fish's teeth break the herl it won't unravel. Ribbing and this wrapping technique will really add life to your fly. In the smaller sizes this fly imitates some of the more common mayfly nymphs and in the larger ties imitates stoneflies, damsel and even dragonfly nymphs.

Hook: Size 6 to 20. Use 1 XL nymph hook in larger sizes.

Thread: Olive or black

Tail: 3 strands of peacock herl

Body: 3 to 5 strands of peacock herl, ribbed with gold, copper, or silver wire or tinsel.

Wingcase: Mallard or turkey quill, usually tied loose over the back.

Legs: Dark brown hackle fibres, tied beard style.