The Partridge and Orange Fly Fly

Materials required:

·        Wet fly hooks sizes 12 – 16

·        Body – Orange tying thread

·        Hackle – Partridge brown back

Tying:

1. Catch in the thread behind the eye and take down to opposite the barb in tight touching turns and then back up the shank to just behind the eye.
   
   
   
   
2. Prepare the Partridge hackle by removing the fluffy flue from the stem . Tie the hackle in behind the eye by its tip. Take great care doing this as the hackles are very delicate and can break easily. It is essential to tie in by the tip as the stem is too thick.
   
   
   
   

3. Wind the hackle around the shank for a maximum of 2 turns , and stroke back so the hackle lies sloping back and tie off and cut off the stem. Then form A small head, tie off and varnish.
     

This fly is a traditional north country wet fly of the spider type and is deliberately tied sparsely . It is usually fished down and across as part of a team of wet flies and is an excellent fly all season. It could be argued that in the larger size it perhaps represents a small sedge pupa . A good stand by pattern and if you are prospecting with wet flies and not sure what to use make sure there is one of these on your leader.

The fly can also be quite productive on still waters when used as a pulling fly.