Butcher
This famous wet fly was originally called Moon’s Fly after a butcher called Moon whose favorite pattern it was. Developed by John Jewhurst the fly was newly named by William Blacker around 1838 as per Moon’s profession arguably as a marketing gimmick. Well the name change worked well as it became one of the best selling trout flies and I think many falsely associated the name with the killing abilities of this fly. There has also been theories that the color red represents blood, silver the blade and blue wing the apron of a butcher.
There are couple well known variations like the Bloody Butcher and Kingfisher Butcher which have proved their worth too in any anglers box.
The wing is a bit fiddly to get tied in with no creases but with a bit of practice it’s possible and makes for a better fly in my opinion.
Butcher
Tail: Originally Ibis, few strands of red dyed Goose work well.
Rib: Oval silver tinsel.
Body: Silver tinsel.
Hackle: Black (Natural black hen is best suited).
Wing: Slips of blue wing feathers from Mallard.
