Not every great fly has been created.  While there are already innumerable patterns, the true definition of greatness is determined by the fish.  The fly tier’s quest is to make an imitation which will consistently (but perhaps not every time) fool a fish into taking it.

This is the satisfaction, and frustration, of tying flies.

The best way to develop your personal “great” fly is to see what the fish you’re trying to catch have on their menu.  Turn over some rocks in your favorite stream.  Look at the bugs.  What do you have in your fly box which matches them?  There are probably several patterns which have some component which matches a characteristic of the aquatic bug on your fish’s dinner menu but may not be just what you want.  There’s a simple solution – take parts of each of these patterns then merge them together.

This is how the “Gunslinger” was created.  Parts of the veteran, reliable, fish-producing Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear and Copper John nymphs were blended together.

This fly has been available for a while and it’s working towards a “go to” designation in Rocky Mountains rivers and streams.  One enthusiastic fly fisherman reported, “I honestly can tell you I caught a dozen fish on it in less than an hour while waiting for a midge hatch to come off.  Once the midges started popping, though, I switched to tiny dry flies and hooked half a dozen more fish.  But then, out of curiosity, I switched back to the Gunslinger – just to see if the trout would still eat the thing.  They did!  And they were surprisingly aggressive about it.”

It’ll take more time to see if this new fly will earn a “Greatest” title but so far there have been a lot of fish vote for it.  There is a good assortment of Gunslingers in the Sportsman’s Warehouse fly bins or tie up some yourself.  Give them a try – you’ll enjoy counting the votes.

Gunslinger

Hook:  “Scud” hook sizes 12-14-16
Bead:  Black
Thread:  6/0, dark brown, Uni-Thread
Tail:  Pheasant tail
Abdomen:  Pheasant tail
Segmentation:  Medium copper wire
Thorax:  Spikey hare’s ear dubbing
Legs:  Black Crystal Flash
Shell back:  Natural, mottled ThinSkin