Published Oct 14. 2002 - 21 years ago
Updated or edited Dec 4. 2015

Grizzly Streamers

GFF co-webmaster Bob Petti coordinated an effort to share Grizzly Streamer Patterns by members of the Streamer List.

There is no doubt that some form of mottling or striations add to the effectiveness of many patterns, whether streamers or not. Materials such as woodduck flank, teal, and hare's ear fur, all rely heavily on their coloration and mottling when applied to fly tying. Above all others stands the grizzly hackle. Such barred feathers are used on every manner of fly, from the tiniest of trout flies such as the Griffith's Gnat to large saltwater streamers such as Dan Blanton's Sar-Mul-Mac.
The use of grizzly hackle, both natural and dyed versions, in trout streamers has a long and rich history. Flies such as the Gray Squirrel Silver Streamer by Ray Bergman or the Witch flies by Carrie Stevens serve to illustrate the popularity of these feathers in the early days. From bright attractors such as the Perkins Wonder given to us by Bryant Freeman, to realistic imitations such as Lew Oatman's Brook Trout, the grizzly hackle is used in any number of ways. If someone were to ask one of those cliche "If you could only have ..." questions about fly tying materials, grizzly hackles would certainly show up on the vast majority of answers.

The flies shown in this feature were tied by the members of Bob Skehan's "New England Streamers" mailing list. It is the intent of this feature to never be closed. All readers are welcome to submit streamers and patterns listing for inclusion. It is my hope that over time we can grow a representative sampling of historic and contemporary trout streamers that highlight the varied uses of these magnificent feathers.

Bob Petti
December 2000

Perkins Wonder

Tied by Bryant Freeman

Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek, 8xl #1
Tail: Red Hackle Barbs
Body: Flat Silver Tinsel
Rib: Gold Floss w/ Gold Twist on either side of floss
Belly: Lt. Blue Polar Bear followed by White Polar Bear
Throat: Yellow Hackle, Golden Pheasant Crest curving upwards, the Black Hackle
Wing: Light Green Polar Bear followed by four grizzly hackles dyed purple.
Shoulder: Jungle Cock
Topping: Amherst Pheasant Crest followed by Golden Pheasant Crest

Gray Squirrel Silver Streamer

Tied by Bob Petti

Hook: Mustad 3665A, #6
Body: Flat Silver Tinsel
Rib: Oval Silver Tinsel
Underwing: Gray Squirrel Tail
Wing: Grizzly Saddle Hackles
Throat: Red Hackle Barbs
Eyes: White w/ Black Pupils
Note: This is a contemporary version of Ray Bergman's classic fly. Flat tinsel with a rib replaces embossed, red hackle replaces dyed golden pheasant crest, and painted eyes replace jungle cock.

Sportsmen Say

Tied by Chris Del Plato

Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek, 8xl
Body: Flat Silver Tinsel
Rib: Oval Silver Tinsel
Rib: Yellow Bucktail
Wing: White Bucktail, Peacock Herl, Grizzly Hackle
Cheek: Jungle Cock
Head: Black

Sander's Streamer

Tied by Chris Leonard

Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek, 6xl
Body: Medium Flat Silver Tinsel
Wing: A very small bunch of white bucktail (about 25 hairs) extending past the bend, over which are four grizzly saddle hackles, slightly longer than the bucktail.
Cheek: Jungle Cock
Head: Black

Dusky Smelt

Tied by Scott Daskiewich

Hook: Mustad 94720, #4
Tag: Flat Silver Tinsel
Body: White Close
Rib: Flat Silver TiInsel
Throat: Peacock Herl, above hook, white bucktail below
Wing: Blue hackle inside, grizzly hackle outsise
Shoulder: Mallard Flank
Cheek: Jungle Cock

Bill Special

Tied by Robb Nicewonger

Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek, 6xl
Body: Flat Silver Tinsel
Belly: White Bucktail, sparse
Wing: Grizzly Hackle
Shoulder: Silver Pheasant
Cheek: Jungle Cock

Cameron #2

Tied by Lindsey Grandison

Hook: Mustad 94720
Thread: Olive
Tag: Flat Gold Tinsel
Tail: Peacock Sword
Body: Orange Floss
Rib: Narrow Flat Gold Tinsel
Throat: White bucktail and Golden Pheasant Crest curving upward
Wing: Sparse Orange Bucktail, Six Strands of Peacock Herl extending beyond tail, Golden Pheasant Crest curving down over peacock, two bright green saddle hackles under two olive saddle hackles under two grizzly saddle hackles dyed yellow.
Cheek: Peacock Neck Feather
Head: Olive w/ Yellow Eye and Red Pupil
Notes: This fly was originated by Ellis Hatch of Rochester, NH. Pattern taken from "Forgotten Flies".

Stealth

Tied by Stan Jakubaszek

Hook: 6x Streamer
Tag: Copper Tinsel
Tail: Cerise Marabou
Body: Kraft Cord, Black and Silver
Throat: Cerise Marabou
Wing: Grizzy (2), long
Cheek: Red Golden Pheasant Body Feather

Pink Lady

Tied by Wes Autio

Pink Lady

Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8xl
Tag: Flat Silver Tinsel
Body: Pink Floss
Rib: Flat Silver Tinsel
Belly: White Bucktail
Throat: Pink Schlappen
Underwing: 4-6 Peacock Herls
Wing: Four Grizzly Hackles
Shoulder: Teal Flank
Cheek: Jungle Cock
Head: Black with red (or pink) band
Notes: Originated by Carrie Stevens. Source, Hilyard and Hilyard, Schmookler and Sils

Grizzly King

Tied by Wes Autio

Grizzly King

Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek #1 8xl
Thread: Black
Tag: Flat Gold Tinsel
Tail: Two matched section of red goose shoulder (or duck quill)
Body: Green Silk Floss
Rib: Flat Gold Tinsel
Throat: Grizzly Hackle Fibers
Wing: Four grizzly saddle hackles
Shoulder: Teal Flank
Cheek: Jungle Cock
Head: Black
Notes: Originated by Gardner Percy. Source: Bates, Schmookler and Sils

Grand Lake Streamer

Tied by Darren Bua

Grand Lake Streamer

Hook: Mustad 94720
Thread: Black
Tag: Flat Silver Tinsel
Body: Orange Floss
Rib: Flat Silver Tinsel
Throat: White Bucktail
Wing: Four to Six Strands Peacock Herl and a Pair of Grizzy Hackles
Shoulder: Gray Mallard Flank
Cheek: Jungle Cock
Head: Black
Notes: Source: Forgotten Flies, by Schmookler and Sils
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