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F&F Fly Pattern Archive

Black Pennell

I tie this fly as it was originally intended - in black, but also in olive, golden olive, tan, brown and claret. It is a fly which seems to catch fish well, because of its form rather than purely because of its colour, although there is little doubt that the black version does have some superb moments. In Ireland it is regarded as a superb all-round fly, and it does do well for brown trout as well as for rainbows.

Pattern

Hook: Ashime F40 sizes 8 to 14
Thread: black
Tail: Golden pheasant tippet - do not tie this in too long. The tippet can also be dyed used a pen to mtatch the other body coloyurs mentioned. You can also try Amherst pheasant tippet, which colours very well.
Body: some recommend black floss, but I use two strands of tapestry silk. This gives a slightly hairy look to the body, and is much better when forming the cigar shape than floss, which tends to wander as you tie.
Rib: oval silver, but I use oval gold on my coloured versions
Hackle: black (or other colour) cock. You should really go to town with the hackle, because it needs to be quite obvious, and quite long (see photograph for proportions). Tie off with a a neat head.

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David Westwood of NorScFly ties exclusively for private clients. All patterns for all gamefish, including magazine flies, and repeats of that last fly you have left. Contact him at Davidflies@btinternet.com