FLY OF THE MONTH

Flamingo
By Jeff Pierce

The Flamingo is another great fly for Pacific Salmon, Steelhead and Brown Trout. I have been tying a variation of this pattern for several years but started tying it with some of the new materials that Hedron recently introduced. While the hook used is labeled a Deerhair / Stinger hook for Bass, this hook is also excellent for Salmon & Steelhead patterns as well. It’s very simple to tie and looks great in the water.

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Tying instructions:

Step 2:

Form a dubbing loop just in front of the bend, wax your thread and begin inserting the Pink Flashabou Dubbing into the loop. Once you have the Flashabou evenly spaced, spin the loop enough to secure the dubbing. When done correctly, the dubbing loop should be nice and fuzzy with the Flashabou ½ to ¾ of an inch wide. Wrap the thread forward to just behind the eye.

Step 4:

Cut a piece of Wing n’ Flash long enough to extend from the eye to just past the bend of the hook. Secure this right behind the eye. If your wing is too long do not use scissors to cut it. Use your fingers to pull and break the Wing n’ Flash to the proper length. This will give the fly a more natural taper. Whip-finish the head and you are done.

I named this fly the Flamingo because the color of it resembles those tacky lawn ornaments. While the Pink version has been very effective, I have also been tying a green/chartreuse version as well. This green version is called the Seasick Flamingo.

The Flamingo has proven to be a very effective fly for Steelhead and Coho Salmon especially. I have also caught some King Salmon and large Brown Trout as well with them. I have found that on certain days, the Seasick Flamingo has been a better producer, especially on the Brown Trout and the Steelhead.

FISHING SUGGESTIONS
My normal fishing technique for this the classic ¾ downstream presentation. I have found that the Steelhead and Coho love to take this fly as it speeds up and runs crosscurrent and also the first few strips straight upstream after the swing. If the water is deeper and I need to get the fly down, I will also cast ¾ upstream and throw a few mends into the line, allowing it to sink a bit. While the fish will take this fly on the dead-drift, they seem to prefer it as it speeds up.

The Flamingo and Seasick Flamingo are very easy patterns to tie and are go to flies when the water is up and running a bit off color. These new colors from Hedron are great for tying these attractor flies. The C52S BLN is a great hook for this pattern with its straight shank and upturned point angle. The Signature series hooks offer the most durable premium point fly hooks on the market. This hook is finished in Black Nickel so it can also be used in Saltwater as well.

If you fish for Coho, Chum or Chinook Salmon, Brown Trout or Steelhead give these flies a try. They have been very good to me and have a permanent space in my fly boxes.