Fly Tying

I first came across the Silver Streak fly last summer.  I was fishing the East Walker River and I had picked up a couple of these on the recommendation of the staff of Ken's in Bridgeport.  After a tough morning, I tied one of these Blue Wing Olive imitations on and it saved the day.  Well, I was back at the same spot recently for a little early spring fishing and the same tough morning was saved by the Silver Streak.  This little fly is the creation of Larry Kingrey and is one of his signature flies for Idylwilde Flies (a fair trade fly wholesaler). 

Last summer I tried to figure out how to tie some up by eyeballing the fly and matching as close as I could with what I already head.  These early failures were ugly and bulky.  This time around I decided to track down Larry himself and see if he would share his recipe.  He was kind enough to send his pattern to me along with some helpful hints.  Here are Larry's instructions on tying this remarkable little fly.

INSTRUCTIONS

HOOK:  Standard #18-#22 Scud (TMC 2487 or 2488 barbless)

TAIL AND LEGS: Med dun hen-Larry uses Whiting American hen back

ABDOMEN: Holographic silver mylar, 2 strands

RIBBING: Lagartun Varnished Wire, Peacock Blue, Fine or X-Fine, depending on hook size

THORAX: Holographic Silver Ice Dub

WING CASE: Ends of abdomen material

Here are Larry's tying tips:

I tie in wire first, moving to bend, then tail. That gets the thread back to the thorax. Tie in mylar,wrap it to the bend, then back to thorax. Tie off, then fold back for wingcase. Dub thorax, then pull wingcase forward. Clip tip out of hen feather for legs, tie in with soft loop with a few fibers on both sides of hook, pull to length, tighten then finish.

Thanks Larry!

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