User:Jimmy1shot/Grizzly King Wet Fly

History of the Fly

The Grizzly King is one of a large list of classic wet flies of its time. The pattern itself was first created by Professor James Wilson in the year 1840. James WIlson was the brother of John WIlson whois more commonly known for created the Professor wet fly. James once described his new pattern as "a hackle par excellence. They call him Coomberland in the northern parts of merry England. His wings are broad and burly, formed of any undyed feather, bearing narrow natural bars of black and white, and he bristles with many stripes from head to heel, his dark green body being wound about with gray or mottled hackle, and terminated by a fiery tail, turned up in what naturalists call an ensiform manner - that is, somewhat after the fashion of a sword" (Wilson). 20 years prior to the invention of his pattern Wilson was named reputed "the best trout angler with the fly in Europe." The country of origin of the Grizzly King is Scotland.

Uses of the Fly

The Grizzly King is a wet fly which means it can be used in a variety of places. Wilson designed it to be used on dams, reservoirs, rivers, and streams; practically any body of water. Since it was designed as a wet fly, it is mostly intended for still water fish. Unfortunately, the Grizzly King wont be much use in fast moving streams for the current will move the fly far too fast for any type of fish to have a chance to bite it. The Grizzly King pattern is able to catch any sort of trout depending on where it is being used. Salmon are also interested in the pattern.

Fly Recipe

Hook: Sizes range from 8-12

Thread: Black

Tail: Red Swan, Duck, Goose

Body: Green Seal's Fur

Rib: Oval Gold Wire

Hackle: Grizzly Hen

Wing: Gray Speckled Mallard

==References== (1) http://www.fish4flies.com/Wet/Winged/Grizzly_King

(2) http://flypattern.blogspot.com/2008/01/grizzly-king.html

(3) http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/oldflies/part311.php

(5) http://www.shelovesflyfishing.com/fly-fishing-wet-flies.htm