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The Alvin Fly
By Jeff Pierce

The Alvin Fly is a great trout and salmon fry imitation that has been around for a while now. While I'm not sure who came up with this pattern originally I can tell you that there are many variations on the theme and that this fly is a real gem. This fly can be fished in many water types and catch a wide variety of species. It really shines though when targeting large resident stream trout and migrating salmon and steelhead in moving waters.

Materials List:
Hooks:	Mustad Signature R74 in sizes 2, 4, 6 or 8.
Thread:	Wapsi #70 Thread in white 8/0 Tying Thread in White
Tail:	FLASHABOU MIRAGE #3301 Opal Silver
Body:	FLASHABOU MIRAGE #3301 Opal Silver Can substitute Pearl Sparkle Braid
Eyes:	Wapsi 1/8" Silver Hologram Eyes
Yolk Sac:	Orange Hot Glue

Tying Instructions: Photo and fly by Jeff Pierce

Step 1:
Place R74 in vise and wrap length of hook shank one time from eye back.

Step 2 & 3:
Add FLASHABOU MIRAGE and secure to form tail. Now, at this point you can continue wrapping the MIRAGE around the shank, securing it just behind the eye. If you don't have any MIRAGE (go out and get some as this stuff is great) you can tie in some Sparkle Braid and wrap the length of the shank, secure with thread and trim.

Step 4: Add eyes to hook

Step 5:
Coat body with a thin coat of Loon Hard Head. Be sure to fill the gaps between the eyes. You will have to turn the hook in the vise (if you're using a rotary) for a short while allowing the Hard Head to evenly coat the eyes and head and to be sure it begins drying evenly.

If you do not have a hot glue gun or just don't want to mess with it,
you can use Glo Bug yarn or orange Marabou, among other things,
for substitutes.

Step 6:
After the Hard Head dries thoroughly you can form the yolk sac. To do this I use a small hot glue gun. These are available at most arts and craft stores. I use hot glue that has an orange tint to it. Carefully apply a small "glob" of glue to the belly of the fly starting just behind the eyes and extending about halfway back the tying length. Try to keep the yolk sac evenly spread out right to left, to ensure that the fly swims correctly.
Immediately following the application of the hot glue, immerse the fly in a glass of cold water. This is a neat trick that was passed along to me that helps to keep the glue very clear once cool instead of taking on a milky look.

You're finished, place it in your fly box and moisten it as soon as possible.

Fishing Suggestions:

I spend as much time as possible fishing my local Lake Ontario tributaries for Coho, Kings, Atlantics, Steelhead and Brown Trout. This Alvin Fly is a very effective pattern for all these fish. While the natural reproduction in many of these streams and rivers is limited at best, the fish still eagerly attack this fly. I also fish this fly on the small trout stream, mere steps from my house. This has been a great fish catcher on this small stream, especially in the Spring.

When targeting the migratory trout and salmon I have had great luck swinging this fly through the faster sections of the river. I typically fish it ¾ downstream and let the fly swing across the run. Most of my strikes come as the fly first begins it's swing and then again when the fly has made the turn directly below me and is just drifting back and forth in the current. I have also done well with this fly in the slower pools, letting the fly sink to the bottom and stripping it back with short, 2-inch strips. This fly really sparkles and can really draw some attention in clear to slightly stained water.

Have some waters where the trout and Smallmouth Bass mix. This is a great Smallie fly as well as the Smallmouth just love to feed on the trout and salmon fry.

Give this fly a try and see for yourself just how effective it is.

About Jeff Pierce

Jeff Pierce, AKA Dr. Fish, is the North American Sales Coordinator for O. Mustad & Son (USA), Inc. and Partridge of Redditch. When not in the office he can be found chasing fish all over the world. Whether it's Sailfish off Borneo, Payara in Brazil or Smallmouth Bass on his home waters you can bet Jeff is no doubt casting flies at something that will bend a rod. . . .

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