Steelhead Fly Fishing & Flies: Plate 1
Plate 1 from Steelhead Fly Fishing & Flies (1976) showing steelhead wet flies tied by Harry Lemire and presented here as a historical reference image. Viewing note: This plate contains many small fly images and labels. On mobile, pinch to zoom for a closer view. On desktop, you can usually right-click the image and open or save it for a larger view.
Steelhead Fly Fishing & Flies - Plate 1
This plate is from the 1976 edition of Steelhead Fly Fishing & Flies and shows a selection of steelhead wet flies alphabetically arranged from Admiral through Dr. Spratley. All flies on the plate were tied by Harry Lemire. Many of these patterns are obscure and not widely known today, so the image is presented here as a historical reference for anglers, fly tyers, and collectors interested in how these flies appeared in the original book. Although the image reflects the printing and reproduction quality of the original 1976 edition, the plate remains a useful reference for understanding the form, color, and general character of these classic steelhead patterns. Our goal is to preserve both the images and dressing notes for these flies. Note: Not every fly shown on this plate has a corresponding dressing note in the 1976 text. When available, dressing notes are included in the Fly Pattern Dictionary, and original background notes from the book are included below.
Flies Shown on Plate 1
Admiral, Alaska Mary Ann, Algan, Almvig, Babine Special, Badger Hackle Peacock, Badger Hackle, Big Henry, Black Beauty, Black Bomber, Black Coachman, Black Demon, Black Demon No. 2, Black Diamond, Black Gnat Bucktail, Black Gordon, Black Cow, Black Marabou, Black Prince, Black Spook, Bloody Butcher, Brad’s Brat, Brindle Bug, Brown Drake, Brown Legged Shrimp, Bucktail Coachman, Bucktail McGinty, Burlap, Bush Master, Caldwell, Carbon, Carson, Carson Royal Coachman, Chief, Coachman, Conway Special, Copper Demon, Cutthroat, Dead Chicken, Dr. Spratley.
Original Background Notes for Plate 1
Admiral: This is a steelhead version of the original by Rear Admiral Eustace Baron Rogers, U.S.N., 1855–1929. Admiral Rogers was born in San Francisco and after his commissioning advanced to become the Navy’s Paymaster General. The original Admiral had a scarlet floss body and white primary strip wing. This dressing was intended for rainbows, though not specifically for the ascending steelhead.
Alaska Mary Ann: The late Frank Dufresne was synonymous with Alaskan hunting and fishing for many years. He worked as Fish and Game Commissioner of Alaska and later for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The idea for the Alaska Mary Ann was taken from a lure used by Eskimos on the Kobuc River north of Nome. Called the ‘Kobuc Hook,’ it consisted of a minnow-shaped piece of ivory inlaid with black whalebone eyes. A heavy piece of copper wire was driven through the eyes and bent around to form a barbless hook. To the hook shank was fastened a bright red triangle from the webbed foot of the sea parrot or guillemot. Dufresne had first noticed the lure in 1922 while on a trip to the Kobuc area. . . . This flash of streamside inspiration gave the fly its name.
Algan & Almvig: Both the Algan and Almvig are believed to be Washington summer-run dressings originally developed for use on the Stillaguamish River. They were first used about 25 years ago.
Badger Hackle Peacock & Badger Hackle: These are two California variations of the “hackle flies” so popular for both resident and migratory trout.
Big Henry: Jim Nelson of Klamath, California tied this nymph for use on the Klamath and Trinity rivers. It was first used in 1952 and named for C. E. “Henry” Sainsbury of Santa Monica, California. As used by its originator, the fly was fished during clear water conditions.
Black Beauty: Karl Mausser, present holder of the world’s record fly caught steelhead, first tied this compact, fast-sinking pattern in 1960. It has primarily been a Canadian fly, its use restricted to tributaries of the Skeena River.
Black Bomber: The Black Bomber is one of several highly original flies tied by Warren Erholm of Anacortes, Washington. He ties it only as a heavily weighted fly. For this reason, it is sometimes tied upside-down to prevent it from snagging bottom. Besides steelhead, the Black Bomber is effective on sea-run cutthroat and jack salmon. Erholm first fished the pattern in 1957 without the plastic eyes. After five years of use the eyes were added and the fly given its present name.
Black Coachman: The Black Coachman is identical to the hairwing Coachman save for a body of black chenille instead of peacock herl. Conversion to the more durable chenille dates to the 1930’s.
Black Demon: Following the introduction of the Golden Demon to the Eel River in 1934 or 1935, Jim Pray tied the Silver Demon and Black Demon flies. They have survived in that order of popularity. Pray dressed the latter because he believed a black fly was “much favored” in the Orleans area of the Klamath River. It was and, minus a tail of drake wood duck flank, closely resembled the above pattern. The Black Demon was first tied about 1937 and is also dressed with a gold body.
Black Diamond: Harry Lemire originated the Black Diamond in 1969 for slightly off-colored water during the summer season. However, after taking a thirteen pound steelhead from the Green in December, 1970, he brought this most handsome pattern into frequent winter use and now considers it to be highly effective for all the seasons, whatever races they hold. Harry has found that when fished on winter rivers, the fly seems to be at its best when working deep in slower water, such as in the center of the drift. He and his wife, Marlene, live in Black Diamond, Washington. The Green is his “home” river.
Black Gnat Bucktail: This fly’s origins go back to England, where an ancient Black Gnat was a simple black-bodied fly with grey wings. Americans gave the fly black wings, while steelheaders substituted a hairwing, added hackle and the almost required red tail. The Black Gnat Bucktail has been around for nearly forty years and was perhaps the product of North Umpqua anglers.
Black Gordon: Clarence Gordon developed the Black Gordon during the late 1930’s for use on the North Umpqua. He was a fine fly tier and extraordinary angler who had a concession from the U.S. Forest Service for a lodge on the North Umpqua at the old Major Mott site. (See Chapter 3.) Variations of this dressing abound. Sometimes a tail of golden pheasant tippet is added; the red and black body may be evenly divided, and floss used instead of wool.
Black Prince: The Black Prince remains little changed from its initial development in the East during the 1880’s. The originator is unknown. Like so many patterns, it is probably the result of many people tinkering with the basic, all black design. Steelheaders gave it a red tail, bucktail wing, and added yellow to the body. It is an excellent alternate to the Black Gordon.