My friend, Alec Stansell, in Massachusetts, sent me this picture of a streamer pattern that was previously unknown to me. It’s an original carded fly from the Percy Tackle Company, formerly of Portland, Maine. Percy’s Tackle received plenty of mentions in Joseph Bates’ Book, “Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing,” 1950, 1966, 1995. I like sharing this kind of vintage, classic information on our fly tying heritage with my readers, so here it is:
The Comando:
Comando Streamer, carded and sold by The Percy Tackle Company. Gardiner Percy was the company founder. Photo courtesy of Alec Stansell.
The recipe:
Comando
Tag: Flat silver tinsel
Tail: Red hackle fibers
Ribbing: Flat silver tinsel – this is very tarnished, but at my suggestion Alec did a little fly tying archeology with his bodkin, scratching a small section of the surface to reveal the silver tinsel rib ;-)
Body: White angora or spun rabbit fur
Throat: red hackle fibers
Wing: Two brown hackles over which are one black hackle, slightly shorter
Cheek: Jungle cock
Head: Black
Thanks Alec for sharing this photo with me!
