Alexandra

December, 2008

                                     Fly Pattern: Alexandra


              Tier's Name: John Gort             Email: see roster 
              Date: December 1, 2008             Phone: see roster

    Fly Originator and History: Originated in the 1860's by either W.G.Turle
    (Turle Knot inventor), or John Brunton. One writer of that era referred to it 
    as a "grand killer of trout" and some even sought to have it banned from local 
    trout streams in England. Originally named the 'Lady of the Lake', it was 
    renamed  to honor Great Britain's Princess Alexandra in the 1890's. Its 
    predominant red and green colors make it an ideal Christmas fly. 
    
                               How the Fly is Fished
    
    Suggested line and leader: Floating line with a sinking leader. Exact
    type of leader depends on water conditions. 
    Depth: Fish deep.
    Suggested retrieve: Quick retrieve
    Comments:  Depending on the type or size hook you use, it can 
    be fished in lakes as a wet fly or in rivers as a spey fly.   

		
    
                               Fly Material
    Hook: make /size / length: Alec Jackson 2051-1.5 black.
    Thread: size / color /type: 6/0, black, single strand red floss.
    Weighted? y/n / size / # of wraps: no.
    Tail material / size / color: Red goose primary feather, peacock sword.
    Body material /size /color: Red floss, silver mylar.
    Ribbing size / color: none.
    Thorax size / color: none.
    Wing size / color: Black bear, red goose primary feather, peacock sword. 
    NOTE: John suggests that you omit the black bear hair if your are using a 
    size 10 or smaller hook.
    Hackle size / color: Black hen.
    Cheeks: Jungle cock, starling, or quail.
    Head size / color: Small, black
    

    
                              Tying Steps

    1. Tag: Tie in a single strand of red floss at the starting point 
    (about 1/8" behind the eye). Wrap the floss along the shank to a point just 
    above the barb. Wrap the floss back to about the half-way point and whip finish.

    2. Tail: Separate a 2 adjoining red goose barbs from the feather.
    Tie in the slip such that its tip will extend just past the bend of the 
    hook. Then tie in 3 or 4 peacock swords such that they will lay atop 
    the red goose slip. Run the thread forward to the starting point and whip 
    finish.

    3. Body: Tie in some silver mylar tinsel at the starting point 
    and wrap it to the start of the bend and back. Whip finish.

    4. Wing: Tie in a small amount of black bear hair at the starting 
    point such that the tips of the hair are even with the end of the bend of the 
    hook. 

    5. Separate a pair of matching red goose slips from the left and right 
    side of the feather. Position the slips on each side of the 
    shank and tie them in. Note that the concave sides of the slips should be 
    facing each other. 

    6. Hackle: Tie in a black hen feather at the starting point and 
    give it about 3 or 4 wraps, creating a wet fly collar. Trim the hackle from 
    the top of the fly, leaving a "beard" on the bottom.

    7. Wing: Tie in 6 or 7 peacock swords on top of the collar. 
    The tips should be even with the bear hair tips.

    8. Cheeks (see photo above): Select some material of your choice. Tie 
    in on each side of the shank, aligning them slightly upward, just above the
    body. Apply some glue.

    9. Head: Create a small head, and whip finish. Use some "Hard As Nails" 
    to coat the head. When dry, apply a second coat to give it a shiny black head.