Last year, a good friend of mine who is a fly tier and lives in Fergus, Ontario, sent me a Christmas card with two original classic style wet fly patterns in it, themed to the holiday season in traditional and festive Christmas colors. Since today is Christmas Day I though it appropriate to share them with my readers and friends.
The St. Nick and Yuletide, Christmas wet flies originated and tied by John Hoffmann of Fergus Ontario.
This was a great idea (still is!) and I have kept this card taped to my refrigerator all year, since this was sent to me for Christmas 2012. I added the pattern recipes below in case anyone wants to download them and maybe tie them up for next year’s Christmas cards. Or perhaps these fine dressings will inspire you to create your own Christmas fly patterns for next year!
St. Nick:
Thread: Red
Tag: Flat gold tinsel
Butt: Black chenille
Ribbing: Fine flat gold tinsel
Body: Red floss
Hackle: White
Wing: Red married to white
Head: Red
Yuletide:
Thread: Red
Tag: Red floss
Butt: Peacock herl
Ribbing: Fine oval gold tinsel
Body: Red floss
Hackle: Green and red mixed
Wing: Green
Head: Red
A few old classic patterns come to mind if one were to tie some standard patterns for Christmas: Scarlet Ibis, Ibis and White, Katydid, Alexandra, and the Split Ibis, that one especially with its married wing of red and white striping, like a candy cane!
Thanks John, for your friendship, kindness, and creativity! Merry Christmas to all! And to all a Good Night!
