Here's another one of my favorite king flies. It really isn't anything too unique or special as far as fly patterns go. But, from an effectiveness standpoint... it's a good one. There's something about the contrasting color combination of black and chartreuse that makes it exceptional. (At times of coarse... nothing works all the time.)
The Blacklight and versions of varying color and materials are effective for a wide variety of fish. Hook sizes should be consistent with the fish being pursued. Its relative streamline profile makes it a quick sinker for getting down deep for bottom-hugging salmon.
Black and Chartreuse are both very effective colors independent of each other, but it seems at times, that together they make an irresistible combination.
TYING:
1 - Thoroughly wrap the hook shank with tying thread from the eye to bend
forming a foundation.
2 - Wrap the shank with .020 - .030 lead, then overwrap with tying thread to
secure. (amount and size of lead can be varied depending on desired
overall weight of the fly)
3 - Tie in dumbbell eyes behind the hook eye. (again... size, shape and
style can be varied on desire)
4 - Tie in marabou tips near the hook bend to form a tail extending
approximately 1 inch past the bend.
5 - Tie in crystal flash as part of the tail, extending to the same length
as the marabou tips.
6 - Tie in a 3 to 4 inch piece of copper wire at the insertion point of the
tail. (wire will left extending out the rear and will be used in step 10 to
overwrap the body hackle)
7 - Size the saddle hackle then tie in the butt section immediately behind
dumbbell eye.
8- Tie in "Cactus Chenille" at the insertion point of the tail, then wrap
forward toward the eye completely covering the lead that has been applied to
the shank. Upon reaching the dumbbell eyes... use figure 8 wraps to cover
the inner portion of the dumbbell, then tie off immediately behind the eye
of the hook.
9 - Palmer the hackle rearward, spacing evenly, finishing at the insertion
point of the tail.
10 - Using the copper wire at the tail, make 3 to 4 wraps around the hackle
tip to secure it to the hookshank. Sparsely wrap the wire forward toward
the eye. (the overwrap of wire should be wound forward in the opposite
direction of the hackle to cross the hackle spine. (this step holds the
hackle down securely and adds a degree of durability, thus preventing the
hackle from breaking and unraveling while encountering toothy fish.) The
wire should be worked to a point immediately behind the hook eye and tied
down with thread.
11- Whip finish. (head cement can be used as an option for added durability)
Pattern tied by Brad Hanson
Photo by B. Hanson ©2000
