Step by Step tying of a very simple, very effective sea trout fly
by John Gray
The
Silver
Stoat is one of the most effective of all sea trout
flies. A simple version, consisting of little more than a
black hair wing, can be easily dressed on tubes or needles
or
on single, double or treble hooks. For longer lures of up to
two inches or more in length I prefer
needles or slim
needle tubes.
For a smaller fly, up to about an inch long, I like a
sparsely dressed single hook, as illustrated below. There
are few flies simpler, or more effective, for summer sea
trout. For a fly intended for use during the hours of
darkness, the colour is of little importance (sea trout can
no more distinguish colour at night than we can) but colours
may be used to create varying tones or shades of grey. A
black fly will generally create a well defined silhouette
and is likely to be most easily distinguished against the
night sky when fished near the surface. Using lighter
coloured hackles will create a lighter toned fly. I have had
success with all of the variants shown below but I am
inclined to think that a simple sparse black dressing is as
good as anything.
Hook: Partridge Saltwater Perfect size 8 (black
nickel finish)
Hackle: Black
wing: Black squirrel tail
Step 1 - Secure hook in vice and lay a short bed of tying
thread at the head.
Step 2 - Tie in a black hackle.
Step 3 - Wind three turns of hackle, secure and trim surplus.
Step 4 - Tie in a sparse bunch of black squirrel hair.
Step 5 - Form a neat head and apply two coats of varnish
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The Finished Fly
Simple Sea Trout Flies
Slight variations on the theme may be
created by the use of coloured hackles or by substituting a
mallard wing for the hair wing.
For more information on Salmon, Trout and Sea
Trout Flies, see
Trout and Salmon Flies
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