#98-2013 - Alaska Mary Ann

Tied by: Kevin Kirkelie
Originated by: Frank Dufresne
Source: Streamers and Bucktails the Big Fish Flies, by Joseph Bates 1979, page 274

Alaska Mary Ann Bucktail Fly Pattern Recipe

Hook: Mustad 79580 #1
Thread: Black 6/0
Tail: Red hackle fibers
Body: Ivory white floss
Rib: Silver flat tinsel
Wing: White bucktail or polar bear
Eye: Jungle cock nail
Head: Black tied long

Notes: The Alaska Mary Ann is a storied pattern and enjoys the distinction of being the official fly of the Alaska Flyfishers. The pattern originated from a lure used by the Kobuk Eskimo which was made from a sliver of ivory with a minnow body shape. A copper nail was driven into the tail end and bent into a hook shape. Polar hear hair was lashed to the head and an eye made of whale bone was added. The final accoutrement was a piece of red taken from the mouth of a guillemot bird. Mr. Dufresne observed the fishermen catch rainbow trout, cutthroats, Dolly Varden sheefish, pike, grayling and salmon. He left the river with a few lures and when they were lost, he sat down at the vise to replicate the lure design using more commercially available materials.

The name of the fly comes while Mr. Dufresne and an angler friend were fishing on a South-eastern Alaska river. A friendly rivalry developed and while each angler had the Dufresne designed streamer on the line, Mr. Dufresne found himself being handily out fished. The friend announced "Man, this catches 'em all; the whole Mary Ann of 'em." and with that assertion, the fly was christened.