Sparrow

Submitted By Skip Nault

Tyer Comments:

The original pattern was first tied by Jack Gartside many decades ago.  It was tied solely from the feathers of a partridge or ringneck pheasant skin.  Since then, tiers have created many variations of the pattern, some of which I will mention here.  This is a versatile pattern; it can be drifted like a nymph, swung through the water like a wetfly, or fished like a small streamer.

Materials

Hook: Nymph hook, #6-14, 2x long
Thread:  Black 8/0, or color to match pattern
Tail: Pheasant or partridge rump marabou
Body: Dubbing can vary from natural to synthetic
Collar:  Rump hackle

Head: Aftershaft feather

Tying Instructions

1) Tie in Tail, 1/4 to no more than length of hook.
2) Dub tying thread and advance forward with wraps that increase taper as body is built from tail forward.  You can add small wire to wrap over dubbing.
3) Use rump hackle to tie in collar to reach back to just beyond the base of the tail.
4) Tie in the aftershaft feather by the base of the feather and take several wraps to create a bushy head.  The feather is very delicate, the tip easily breaks off.  Be patient!  To add weight to the fly, add lead wraps over hook or a bead in front of the aftershaft head.

This sparrow was tied with feathers from a ringneck pheasant and gold wire ribbing.

This sparrow is tied with light purple iced and blue wire ribbing.