Daily Fly blog....

Todays flies are not going to win any beauty contests compared to spey and dee flies with their flowing, graceful lines.  But, they are an important part of northwest steelhead fly fishing history.  Almost as important as the pattern, is the method in which I've tied these simple, traditional flies.  These flies are tied in the manner that Ed Haas tied his flies.  Ed was a commercial fly tier from northern California, and tied his flies in a manner that makes them practically indestructible, yet clean and beautiful.  When I first saw Ed's flies in the Art of Angling Journal, I became obsessed with them.  I set on the journey of trying to tie these flies with the same result that Ed had.  It was not easy.  I struggled with making small, neat heads.  Especially with a folded calftail wing.  I don't have time to go into the methods used to tie this type of fly today, but I will offer one hint......  The return eye hook is key making a small head. 
  I will close in saying that there is nothing quite as satisfying as swinging a traditional steelhead fly on an autumn evening,( especially on a legendary river )where countless others have gone before you through the years .  Tie up some Haas style flies and go see what I mean.

AO's flies on the left, Ed's flies on the right.

POLAR SHRIMP:
Tail: Red
Body: Orange Chenille
Hackle: Red
Wing: White Calftail

GREEN BUTT SKUNK
Tail: Red
Butt: Flo. Green Chenille
Body: Black Chenille
Rib: Flat silver
Hackle: Black
Wing: White Calftail