Fly of the Week

GREY GHOST

This fly is a staple pattern in many people's fly boxes. The number of fish that have succumbed to this pattern over the years is unimaginable. This fly is best fished trolled in my opinion but stripping is an effective method as well. One note on this method of tying this fly, notice that I use orange thread throughout the tying process until I complete the head. This is unnecessary but it does help while working with the body because it prevents the black color from bleeding through the body when wet.    - Matt

 

Hook: Orvis 28G1 7X Long Streamer Hook or equivalent

Thread: UNI-Thread 6/0 Orange and Black

Abdomen: Orange floss

Rib: Two sided gold/silver mylar tinsel

Wing: Matched grey saddle hackle feathers

Cheeks: Matched Silver Pheasant feathers

Optional: Jungle cock nails over the cheeks

 

Step 1: Tie in the mylar tinsel gold side down and tie the orange floss on top of that. Wind the floss evenly forward and wrap the tinsel over that. 

Step 2: Tie in three to four peacock fibers for a throat and kink them downwards or tie a thread ball behind the tie in point to coax the fibers downward.
 

Step 3: Tie in two grey saddle hackles side by side equal in length.
 

Step 4: Tie in two matched silver pheasant feathers for the cheeks making sure that they match when held at eye level. 

Step 5: The last step is simple. Whip finish your orange thread and wrap an even tapered head with black thread. Whip finish and/or glue to complete the fly.