The Floodtide (Kelson)
A bit more unusual fly from George Kelson’s The Salmon Fly. Unusual because of the Eagle hackle which is not so commonly used on salmon flies today and because of the unusually complex wing for an Eagle fly.
Eagles are heavily protected here in Finland but luckily the feathers are easily substituted with Turkey Marabou. I used ones that have a tinted tips on the fibers to make it look more authentic. To keep it from getting too full I stripped the hackle from the other side.
For fishing I would tie the hackle before winding on the lace and tie it the opposite way than the ribbing. Crossing the ribbing with the hackle makes the fly much more durable because the marabou stem is quite fragile especially before it wets thoroughly.
FLOODTIDE. G.S. (KELSON.)
TAG. Silver tinsel (fine, oval) and crimson silk.
TAIL. A topping and Summer Duck.
BUTT. Black herl.
BODY. Canary, yellow, dark orange, and crimson Seal’s fur.
RIBS. Silver tinsel and silver lace.
HACKLE. Yellow Eagle, from dark orange.
THROAT. Gallina (two turns) dyed crimson.
WINGS. Two Golden Pheasant sword (back to back) enveloping two extended Jungle (back to back) ; Bustard, Amherst Pheasant tail, Swan dyed yellow and crimson ; and a topping.
SIDES. Jungle.
CHEEKS. Jungle (points).
And here’s what Kelson has to say about the pattern.
“One of the best standards for use ” on the top of a flood.“ For Spring fishing I dress the body of Pig’s wool ; and for clear water and small sizes, a hen Pheasant dyed yellow instead of Eagle.”
