The Pete’s Special and The Female Coachman are just two of the many flies we classify as “Traditional” Sea Run Cutthroat Flies. These are proven patterns that fly anglers chasing Bluebacks have utilized for years. In the two videos below Jay Nicholas demonstrates how to tie them. In addition Jay discusses fly fishing tactics for cutthroat, fly tying material selection and fly pattern history. Enjoy–CD
Pete’s Special
Pete’s Special
Hook: TMC 3761 or Daiichi 1560 #6-10
Thread: Marc Petitjean Split Second Thread
Tail: American Saddle clump hackle fibers Hot Orange
Butt: Medium Chartreuse Chenille
Body: Medium Hot Orange Chenille
Hackle: Hot Orange American Saddle Clump
wing: White Arctic Fox Tail
The Female Coachman
Hook: TMC 3761 or Daiichi 1560 #6-10
Thread: Marc Petitjean Split Second Thread
Tail: Red Strung Saddle Hackle
wing: White Arctic Fox Tail“>Butt: Olive Chenille Medium
Hackle: Natural Brown 6-7″ Wooly Bugger Saddle Hackle
wing: White Arctic Fox Tail
Classics! Those look almost identical to the style my Dad tied in Humboldt County in the 70s. He fished them for steelhead in the Eel, Van Duzen and Klamath, but he has stories of a few kings and silvers, too. Very inspiring!
Nicholas, this is the last straw! I have spoken to you about sharing sea run patterns EXCEPT the freaking Female Coachman. I know where you live!
when wayne taught me to tie this fly in the 70’s he was pretty particular, I was to use universal vise white deer body hair (from the belly of the deer) and then stack it thick on the 1197b’s and wrap it down like hell. the tidewater cutts would shred the deer hair as I am sure you well remember. i am thinking the artic fox will hold up better and sink faster. but does the fly fish as well? how easily does it come unwound from the willows after you attempted that cast that you knew you had to make? (btw i still have a stash of the “good” deer body hair that only gets used for one purpose….)
Hey Tim: The Arctic Fox tail is more durable, and like you guessed, sinks better. The fish love it. Only downside is that it is not as easy for us aging fly fishers to see, as it is not as “stark” white as the deer belly hair. The Arctic Fox tail is also waaaay easier to tie with. The Deer Belly hair had a tendency to be cut by the tying thread or flare too much, and the Fox tail will not do so. I still use deer belly hair for tradition sake, but only on a few flies. Nice to know that some folks remember Wayne Doughton. Wayne would hi-grade the deer belly hair, then give the rest of us the left-overs. Hareline carries white deer body (belly) hair and so does Nature’s Spirit.
And i have gone to the TMC 3761 over the eagle Claw 1197-B hooks. They do not sink quite as well, but they are easier on the fish. Take care, and send me any of the old stuff you aren’t using, OK? JN
Little known fact: foxes are a natural food source for sea-runs, thus the strong attraction, no doubt. I once saw a poor fox covered in cutthroat. They eventually dragged the fox into the river and picked him apart, piece by piece.
Jay, I worked for Wayne cleaning those oiled wood floors and making sure some of the “good stuff” made it into those tin cans behind the counter. It was a great education in life working in that store. The fact is you and I fished tidewater sea runs together once many years ago. Some fish were caught that day – not many though.
Rob I like foxes also, does that make me a cutthroat?
Hey Guys. I can not talk about these flies or these fish anymore. Lou V. has been talking much trash and threatening to blog about my secret salmon holes so — sorry — but i have forgotten everything about, what were we saying?
PS: Sea Run Cutthroat class at the Caddis Fly, 10 – 1, on August 28. Twenty bucks sells out the truth as I know it, which is virtually true, part of the time, in local areas, under the perfect conditions, and with the usual disclaimers. JN