Traditional Wet Flies

 

When we think of Traditional Wet Flies an image of a Quill-Winged Wet fly comes to mind. The simple beauty of the striking white quill sections with vivid body colors of red or yellow and the generous use of peacock herl often graced are a reminder of days gone by. Traditional wet flies also include soft hackle patterns like this Partridge Soft Hackle tied by Sylvester Nemes


The real trick to tying good quill-winged traditional wet fly patterns lies in the cutting to size and the positioning of the quill wings in relationship to the body and head. It is very easy to tie in a wing that is too large or small as well as end up with a head that is wound back too far. Proportions are very important to obtaining the proper look of a traditional quill-winged wet so care must be taken in the component sizes of tails, hackles wings and working thread heads.

In tying soft-hackled wet flies winding the hackle to appear sparse is often the rule of the day in creating these delicate presentations. Partridge is often used for hackle due to the very natural appearance of the mottled browns and tans in a single feather. Bodies are also sparse often with just wound floss or peacock herl.
Black Gnat Wet (Quill-Winged) Pattern Recipe:
Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Black 6/0, Hackle- Black hen, Tail- Red saddle hackle fibers, Butt- Red floss, Body- Black natural fur, Wing- Dark gray Goose quill sections.

Blue Dun Wet (Quill-Winged) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Gray 6/0, Hackle- Blue Dun hen, Tail- Blue Dun hackle fibers, Rib- Narrow gold Mylar tinsel, Body- Dyed olive natural fur dubbing, Wing- Light slate gray Mallard quill sections.

Blue-Winged Olive Wet (Quill-Winged) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Gray 6/0, Hackle- Blue Dun hen, Tail- Blue Dun hackle fibers, Rib- Narrow silver Mylar tinsel, Body- Natural Muskrat fur dubbing, Wing- Light slate gray Mallard quill sections
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Dark Cahill Wet (Flank Fiber Winged) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Black 6/0, Hackle- Dark brown hen, Tail- Dark brown hen hackle fibers, Body- Natural Muskrat back fur dubbing, Wing- Wood duck flank fibers.

Dark Hendrickson Wet (Flank Fiber Winged) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Gray 6/0, Hackle- Dark blue dun hen, Tail- Dark blue dun hen hackle fibers, Body- Natural Muskrat fur dubbing, Wing- Wood duck flank fibers.


Hare’s Ear Wet (Quill-Winged) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Orange 6/0, , Tail- Pheasant tail fibers, Rib- Oval gold tinsel, Body- Natural Hare’s mask fur dubbing, Hackle- None, Wing- Hen pheasant quill sections.

Leadwing Coachman Wet (Quill-Winged) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Black 6/0, Hackle- Brown hen, Tag- Narrow silver Mylar tinsel, Rib- Narrow silver Mylar tinsel, Body- Peacock herl, Wing- Slate gray goose quill sections.

Light Caddis Wet (Quill-Winged) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Black 6/0, Hackle- Brown hen, Tag- Narrow silver Mylar tinsel, Tail- Golden pheasant tippet fibers, Rib- Single strand of orange floss, Body- Peacock herl, Wing- Light slate gray Mallard or Goose quill sections.

Light Cahill Wet (Flank Fiber Winged) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Tan 6/0, Hackle- Light Ginger hen, Tail- Light Ginger hackle fibers, Body- Cream fox fur dubbing, Wing- Wood duck flank fibers.

Light Hendrickson Wet (Flank Fiber Winged) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Gray 6/0, Hackle- Light blue dun hen, Tail- Light blue dun hen hackle fibers, Body- Natural light red fox fur dubbing, Wing- Wood duck flank fibers.

McGinty Wet (Quill-Winged) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Black 6/0, Hackle- Dark brown hen, Tail- Golden pheasant tippet fibers, Butt- Peacock hurl, Body- Red floss, Shoulder- Peacock herl, Wing- White tipped Mallard secondary wing quill.

The Professor Wet (Flank Fiber Winged) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Black 6/0, Hackle- Brown hen, Tag- Thin gold tinsel, Tail- Teal flank fibers over red goose quill section, Rib- Narrow gold Mylar Tinsel, Body- Yellow floss, Wing- Teal flank fibers.

Royal Coachman Wet (Quill-Winged) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC9300 sizes 10-16, Thread- Black 6/0, Hackle- Dark Brown hen, Tail- Scarlet red hackle fibers under teal flank feathers, Body- Yellow and black Chenille wound together, Wing- White Mallard quill sections.