Jock Scott Step By Step

Jock Scott Step by Step

Probably the best known and most popular Salmon Fly of its time. Famous anglers such as Major J.P. Traherne have said that if they could have only one fly to fish with it would be a Jock Scott. Bold statement from a man who himself is regarded as the finest fly designer by many today. If you are interested in the history of this pattern there is a magnificent article on the web by David Zincavage that you might want to look for.

The pattern I used is from T.E. Pryce-Tannatt. It’s rarely tied today using all of the original materials because some of them are rare and quite expensive. So feel free to substitute some of the materials with similar ones if you don’t have them.

Jock Scott (hook, 1 ¼ to 3 inches)

Tag: Silver Tinsel.
Tail: A Topping and Indian Crow.
Butt: Black Herl.
Body: In two equal halves – first half, Golden Yellow Floss butted with black herl, and veiled above and below with six or more Toucan feathers; second half, Black Floss.
Ribs: Fine oval Silver Tinsel over Golden Yellow Floss, broader oval Silver Tinsel or flat Silver Tinsel and Twist (in the large sizes) over the Black Floss.
Hackle: A Black Hackle over the Black Floss.
Throat: Speckled Gallina.
Wings: A pair of black White-tipped Turkey tail strips (back to back); over these, but not entirely covering them, a “mixed” sheath of “married” strands of Peacock wing, Yellow, Scarlet and Blue Swan, Bustard, Florican and Golden Pheasant tail; two strands of Peacock sword feather above; “married” narrow strips of Teal and barred Summer Duck at the sides; brown Mallard over.
Sides: Jungle Cock.
Cheeks: Blue Chatterer; a Topping over all.
Horns: Blue and Yellow Macaw.