Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly

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joaniebo
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Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly

Post by joaniebo » Thu Jan 03, 2019 2:19 pm

Image

In this link ( http://softhacklepatternbook.blogspot.c ... ly-or.html ), there's a pic of a fly called the "Smoky Mountain Blackbird" that has a palmered "split starling primary" feather as the hackle.

In looking at several staling skins and wings I have, I don't see any feather that looks like what's in the pic in color or texture.

Has anyone tied this fly and, if so, what hackle was used? Thanks.

Bob
wsbailey
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Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly

Post by wsbailey » Thu Jan 03, 2019 2:33 pm

Here is another fly in that style.

http://www.rackelhanen.se/eng/10384.htm
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Old Hat
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Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly

Post by Old Hat » Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:34 am

I believe It's a primary wing feather where the rachis has been split lengthwise so it can be flexible enough to wrap. I don't know why someone would go to that length to hackle a fly.
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Bazzer69
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Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly

Post by Bazzer69 » Mon Jan 14, 2019 2:43 pm

It’s ugly enough to catch fish, I would call it Bog Brush!
Love both fly fishing and fly tying, been doing it for a while
But not much good at either
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redietz
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Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly

Post by redietz » Tue Jan 15, 2019 10:19 am

Old Hat wrote: Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:34 am I don't know why someone would go to that length to hackle a fly.
If it's got the same heritage as the Yellarhammer, it may go back to the Cherokees, who were tying it before Europeans arrived.
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zen leecher
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Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly

Post by zen leecher » Tue Jan 15, 2019 10:45 am

I bought a yellow dyed starling skin from a guy down in Tennessee a couple years ago. It was for one of the last fly swaps I participated in. I think the fly I did was a Cow Dung. I don't think the seller is still alive. The skin was intended to be a substitute for the flicker aka yellow hammer.
Last edited by zen leecher on Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
wsbailey
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Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly

Post by wsbailey » Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:53 pm

Darrel Martin wrote about a similar fly made with deer hair. He attributed it to the Cherokees. He even created a tool to cut the hide into a strip. More about the yallerhammer:

http://flyanglersonline.com/features/ol ... art206.php
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Old Hat
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Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly

Post by Old Hat » Wed Jan 16, 2019 4:45 pm

wsbailey wrote: Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:53 pm Darrel Martin wrote about a similar fly made with deer hair. He attributed it to the Cherokees. He even created a tool to cut the hide into a strip. More about the yallerhammer:

http://flyanglersonline.com/features/ol ... art206.php
I've taken Darrel's Antique Angler class. It was a great day. We made our own hooks, twisted horsehair leaders and tied Cotton flies in hand. He is also a master of quirky tools. I remember discussing and seeing an example of that deer hair fly.
I hate it when I think I'm buying organic vegetables, and when I get home I discover they are just regular donuts.
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Old Hat
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Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly

Post by Old Hat » Wed Jan 16, 2019 5:08 pm

It would be cool to see someone go in depth with the history of fly fishing in Native American culture.
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letumgo
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Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly

Post by letumgo » Wed Jan 16, 2019 8:09 pm

Seconded! I would love seeing that too.
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