Published Apr 21. 2013 - 10 years ago
Updated or edited Nov 28. 2020

#31-2013 - Edson Light Tiger Bucktail

Edson Light Tiger Bucktail - Darren MacEachern Tied by: Darren MacEachern Originated by: William R. Edson Source: Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing:...

#31-2013 Edson Light Tiger Bucktail - Darren MacEachern #31-2013 Edson Light Tiger Bucktail - Darren MacEachern


Tied by: Darren MacEachern
Originated by: William R. Edson
Source: Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing: Joseph Bates Jr. (1966), Pg. 262, 266-267

Hook: Mustad 9575 #2
Thread: Black FWN
Tag: Gold flat tinsel
Tail: Barred wood duck
Body: Peacock herl wound with white thread
Wing: Yellow bucktail topped by 2 red hackle tips
Eye: Edson eyes
Head: Black (Yellow lacquer)

Notes: Bill Edson's Tigers, both the Light and Dark versions, have been perennial favorites among anglers with full creels. The pattern was created with influence by a pattern originated by Dick Eastman called Dick's Killer. Mr. Eastman and Mr. Edson had been fishing together near Mr. Eastman's Idlewild Camp on Second Connecticut Lake. Mr. Edson was given a few samples of the pattern and went on to develop his own version of the fly. Mr. Edson tied his pattern using red, yellow and black heads, and early examples of the Edson Light Tiger also had a yellow lacquered head. Both patterns were quite successful for bringing in rainbow and brown trout.

The body of the streamer is tied with peacock herl, and on larger hooks, you may find that you need 2 or 3 bunches of herl tied in along the shank in order to cover the length. Mr. Edson specifies using a white thread spun with the herls. This adds some extra durability in the fragile herl. Silver wire, or oval tinsel could also be used to the same effect.

The eye used on the pattern is a small piece of brass that was used in place of jungle cock nails. If you do not have any of the eyes, a jungle cock nail tied in short will work just fine. The recipe states that red hackle tips are used on the wing, but a few hackle fibers or duck wing slips may also be used.
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Comments

Comment to #31-2013 - Edson Light Tiger Bucktail t...

Excellent job, I love this pattern!

Comment to #31-2013 - Edson Light Tiger Bucktail t...

This wee guy has all the right ingredients to catch fish anywhere!

Comment to #31-2013 - Edson Light Tiger Bucktail t...

Thanks Jim and Kelly. It's one of my favorite patterns to tie. It has a few challenges, but is really something cool.

Comment to #31-2013 - Edson Light Tiger Bucktail t...

Also check out the "Bumble Puppy" an old Catskill fly with very similar materials and construction. Beautiful in the water.

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