This Warren Duncan pattern was developed using parts from several other well-known patterns such as the Black Bear and the Englehardt Special. It is most often fished in small sizes and tied as a low water fly. This fly has also been adopted by west coast steelheaders and has even found its way to the steelhead waters of the Great Lakes.
Tag: Oval gold, fl. green and red floss
Body: Peacock herl
Rib: Oval gold
Hackle: Black hen
Wing: Black bear
Sides: Jungle cock
Head: Black
I've been surprised to not see it used by all that many PNW steelheaders because as you mentioned, it is very effective for steelhead. I found it words as a low-water tie as well. Although I haven't found it to be as effective as Bob Arnold's "Spade" when Spade is tied small (#8-#10), it has worked often enough for me in late morning that I always have a few with me. And I've long considered Randal Kaufmann's Signal Light to be a marabou winged variation of the Undertaker.
Charlie
Tie some up in size #2 to 2/0 for early June fishing ! I've never done well with the Undertaker in Gaspe HOWEVER with about 1/2 (and less !)of the wing material in your fly it's very effective on the North Shore .
Cheers
Without digressing into a history lesson or name-dropping, the only thing that the Signal Light and the Undertaker have in common is the split-colored butt/tag IMO.
That being said, you've dressed another beautiful fly, Charlie - and I really appreciate the well-tyed contributions you've made.
Igor
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