This is a gently hued fly that just fishes and fishes. I think that the effectiveness of these flies is their subtlety. The Whiting Coq De Leon is a feather that I only discovered in the last few years, and I really like it as a substitute for black hackles.
This Spey Iron Steelhead fly offers a pinch of blue, subtle purple body, and mottled flowing hackle topped by a translucent white wing. I like to build this winning combination over either a nickel or bronze Heavy Spey Iron Hook.
This is a fly that I would fish in flows that are on the clearing side of perfect steelhead green water, when the river is finished just entering the mood to turn the pools from emerald to a transparent blue.
Jay Nicholas
February 2012
Spey Iron Winter Steelhead Fly Series – Coastal Blue
Hook: Alec Jackson Heavy Spey Irons #3 Nickel or Bronze
Thread: Lagartun 95D Black
Tinsel Rib: Lagartun Oval gold, small
Tail: Eumer Arctic Fox, Blue, edged with Pearl Krystal Flash
Rear-body: Hareline Custom Dub – Purple
Hackle: Whiting Coq De Leon Saddle feather
Wing; Eumer Arctic Fox Tail – White, topped with pearl Krystal Flash
