How to (and How not to) Tie an Atlantic Salmon Fly

The following is a step-by-step photgraphic sequence of the tying of the Durham Ranger, a Classic Atlantic Salmon Fly from the 1840's.


Materials for Original Pattern
  • Hook: Blind Eye 4/0 - 1/0
  • Thread: Black, 6/0
  • Tag: Silver Twist and Yellow Floss
  • Tail: GP Crest, Indian Crow
  • Butt: Peacock Herl
  • Body: Yellow Floss, Orange, Claret and Black Wool
  • Rib: Gold Tinsel
  • Hackle: Kingfisher
  • Wing: Jungle Cock, then Golden Pheasent Tippets
  • Cheeks: Jungle Cock
  • Topping: GP Crest
    • Step #1

    The Alec Jackson Hook securely in vise
    Step #2

    Tie in the Silver Tinsel Tag (and Floss Tag).
    Step #3

    Tie in Golden Pheasant (GP) Crest and Indian Crow Tail.

    GP Red breast feather used as substitution for Indian Crow.
    Step #4

    Tie in the Yellow Floss.

    Tie in Gold Tinsel Rib.

    Tie in and wrap Peacock Herl Butt section.

    Wrap forward Yellow floss approx. 1/4 of the way to the head.
    Step #5

    Tie in and wrap forward the Orange Dubbing.

    Step #6

    Dub the thread with Red Dubbing, wind forward 1/4, Dub with Black to head.

    Wrap forward the gold rib and tied down.

    Pluck out dubbing below hook virgorously and trim in nice taper.
    Step #7

    Wrap hackle, pull to bottom for a throat or "beard" and tie down.

    I substituted a nice blue hackle feather for Kingfisher.
    Step #8

    Tie in a pair of Jungle Cock Nails, back to back.

    Tie in two GP Tippets, the first long enough to nearly cover the JC nail, the second only long enough to match up the black "lines" on the feather.

    Do the "far" wing first, then repeat on "near" side.
    Step #9

    Tie a small JC nail on each shoulder. Again, tie the far side first, then the near side.
    Step #10

    Create a neat head and whip finish.
    Step #12

    Here's a little tip I picked up the other day. Apply a couple light coats of black fingernail polish to the head to smooth out thread wraps.
    Step #13

    Apply head cement after fingernail polish is dry.

    Final Thoughts: As couple issues with this fly. First, the floss tag shows a bump on the bottom side. Second, the Peacock Butt is a tad wide. Third, both sets of Jungle Cock Nails are riding a bit high. The underwing set should be "centered" in the GP Tippets. Also, the shoulder set should be more centered as well.

    And finally, the GP Crests (Topping and Tail) should meet up to form a point.


    Tight Lines Everyone.

    Dave