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Steelhead Fly of the week – Wahlflower

2K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  flytyer 
#1 ·
This fly, tied by Ralph Wahl of Bellingham Washington in 1965 has a good reputation as a low water and summer run fly. Wahl was the author of a book called “One Man’s Steelhead Shangri-La”, one of my personal favorites, as well as several other books. He was also well known for his great outdoor photography.


Hook: Gold.
Tag: Flat silver tinsel and yellow floss dressed long.
Tail: Golden pheasant crest.
Body: Lacquered fluorescent green floss.
Rib: Oval silver tinsel
Throat: Golden pheasant crest.
Wing: Dyed yellow squirrel tail.
Head: Black
 

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#3 ·
Charlie,

Ralph and his friends didn't use this fly all summer long. The used it during the May-June time period, or the time to fish for and hook the early summer runs known as "springers" here in Washington state. The green/yellow flies are in there element then and you can still see them in use on the Southwest Washington rivers in May and June, just like they were when Wahl came up with this fly.

Unfortunately, you rarely see this fly of Ralph's in use a particular "S" river that he fished with his friends (Walt Johnson, Enos Bradner, and Wes Drain amongst them) and designed and used this fly on during May and June. Walt and Wes also developed and tied green/yellow flies for use on the same river for the same time period).
 
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