Introduction

The Quill Gordon dry fly is one of the most popular flies that can be used in the Smokies. Somewhere around the middle of March is the beginning of the hatch and there are some great ones that come off for the following two weeks. It is a large and important fly for the fish at this time of the year. Be sure to learn how to tie this fly, because it brings some of the larger fish to the top since the fish are recovering from winter and are very hungry . 

 Recipe

Hook: Mustad-#12-14-94831 or 94840
Thread:Unithread-Camel-8/0
Tail: Light Ginger spade hackle
Abdomen:  Tan or light brown dubbing with stripped peacock herl wound in over that.
Thorax: Same
Hackle:  Light Ginger

Step 1

Step 1

Place hook in vise and wind in thread to hookbend.

Step 2

Step 2

Cut section of Ginger Spade Hackles and tie in at the hookbend at a 45 degree angle on the near side.

Step 3

Step 3

Now wind thread back toward the hookbend and slightly hold tail fibers as thread torque spins fibers around the top of the hook.  This takes a little practice to perfect.

Step 4

Step 4






Step 5









Step 5

Now wind thread forward toward the hookeye to the 2/3 point.

Cut a small V notch just a little shorter than the length of the wings. 

Step 6

Step 6

Take Lemon Wooduck flank feather with V notch trimmed in it and hold between thumb and forefinger with the left hand.  Place on top of the hook so that the tips are even with the hookeye. Now position left thumb and forefinger over hookbend. This will be the length of your wings.

Step 7

Step 7

Move thumb and forefinger forward toward the hookeye until they are over the 2/3 point where the thread is positioned.  Tie in feather and wind backward as shown in the picture. 

Step 8

Step 8

Trim feathers at an angle and continue wrapping backward as shown. Now bring thread back toward the tie in point. At this point you can move forward and tie the wings or you can wind in the dubbing.

Step 9

Step 9

If you have chosen to wind in dubbing, spin a thin noodle and wind forward to the front.  Place wings back and wind underneath to the front of the feathers and begin to wind back behind feathers. Make sure you cause feathers to stand upright.  Now divide feathers into two equal sections and wind thread at a 45 degree angle from the front to behind. Wind 4 turns and make a wrap around the back side. Now wind thread from the back to the front at a 45 degree angle to seperate and form wings.

Stage 10

Step 10

Seperated wings should look something like this.

Step 11

Step 11

Wings have been wrapped seperately and positioned to stand up in the typical upright position. Wind thread back to the position shown for hackle tie in.

Step 12

Step 12

Take stripped peacock herl and wind forward to the thorax. If you prefer you can wind all the way to the front of the wings.

Step 13

Step 13

Tie in Light Ginger hackle between the two wings and make 3 wraps behind wings and 2 wraps in front. Bring thread back to the position shown. Now wrap hackle forward making 3 wraps behind wings and 2-3 wraps in front. Do not crowd hookeye.

Step 14

Step 14

Finished fly.

Congratulations everyone. You now have a very beautiful and useful fly for the Great Smoky Mountains.