I have written and told of past successes on previous blog posts pertaining to the Stayner Ducktail. I doubt you will find me at any time without a Stayner Ducktail or two or three in my fly boxes. Often, I have a box just for this fly pattern.
The pattern was originally tied to represent the Perch that were popular in a local Idaho reservoir. The late, Ruel Stayner, had no idea he had created a legend on the lake fishing scene. This pattern has been a champion on Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and, Brook Trout. It even goes to the warmwater circle also. Panfish love it, and, I would never fish a Smallmouth water without some Stayner Ducktails and a good strong shoulder that can take a pounding from the aggressive takes of this fly. It has since been fished all over the world. I could tell stories of fellow anglers in Russia, Argentina, New Zealand etc. who have been introduced to this pattern and its success.
Anyhow, recently I was asked to tie up a few in jig form by some guys who fish out here in the Rockies, These guys have seen the Stayner Ducktail do its job in fly form. Since they fish with spinning gear and a little heavier line than the fly folks among us, they wanted to know if I thought a Stayner in jig form would work.
I have tied them, sent them off to be fished, and, will be flabbergasted if I get a negative response on it. I just can't imagine it not being a classic jig either...............................
Here are my tying instructions for this pattern in Jig form. I will get around to putting it up in fly form once again, perhaps after the holidays. I am active at the fly tying bench as we speak. Fish on my friends...........................................
Tail - Hot Orange Marabou - length equal to shank of hook behind jig head.
Body - Olive size medium chenille - Hint: Many of the New Age chenille colors work well, also
Rib - Either a fine Holographic Gold Tinsel or size small gold wire.
Beard/Wing - Orange Marabou pinched off to show just a tuft of Marabou for highlight purposes.
Wing - Mallard Flank feather. Tip: Turn the jig over in your vise and tie the Mallard Flank so that it extends rearward past bend of hook, but, not longer than the tail. Use the Mallard Flank attached to the stem. Equal barbules on each side. “Do Not” take fibers off the stem and tie them in. Wing is more stable when tied by the stem technique and much easier to work with also.
Finish by using Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, or your favorite head cement, applying to the area just behind the jig head and very base of the Mallard Flank feather for more stability.
Mel I have had god results with the Stayner Ducktail streamer. This jig should do just as good.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alan. I knew you had gotten yourself acquainted with the Stayner Ducktail recently. It flat out produces fish in many situations. As you have come to know, the Stayner Ducktail is also a weapon on moving water also. Not only on small streams, but, some of the bigger rivers out west have plenty of fish that chase the Stayner Ducktail.
DeleteI am awaiting feedback from the recent jigs I have tied and sent to those who fish jigs a bunch.................
I remember you and Alan I believe talking about the Stayner jig back awhile ago. I've never officially ever fished with jigs except when I was jigging for walleyes in Canada years ago. I hope you'll post the fly, I'm interested.
ReplyDeleteHoward, my brother, I would be more than pleased to do another blog post on the Stayner Ducktail in fly form. I just put it on my list of to-do things for fly tying.
DeleteYou will be happy with the results when you fish them. You just have to take it out of the box and give it a try. It is easy to stick to all the standard patterns that get written about constantly when we are in fishing mode.
Next time you are on Facebook, PM me your mailing address.
Those should catch fish anywhere...especially crappie.
ReplyDeleteDrew, my friend, in fly form it does catch all kinds of fish and I am not aware of this fly being so "un-successful" that it got pushed to the back of the fly box or discarded.
DeleteCrappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, Walleye, plus, all of the trout family! Fish on, my friend.........
Another great jig, Mel! Really digging these jigs that you're tying up. They're clean and look super effective. That would surly catch the attention of all sorts of panfish here in Illinois. Keep up the great vise work!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Justin, for your kind words! They have been fun and kind of had me thinking a little differently on what other fly patterns would be good jig patterns.
DeleteIn any event, I am sure that Panfish would love it. The fly pattern has been very successful over the years on Panfish. Now, I know you have Smallmouth in your country.................... Just sayin'...................
Just added it to my ever increasing Excel spreadsheet with all my fly recipes. Have to get some orange Marabou,
ReplyDeleteMark, make sure you get the Hot Orange Marabou color. It is just not as effective with the standard Orange Marabou. Send me along your address and I will make sure you get a sample or two to tie from.
DeleteMel
ReplyDeleteAwesome pattern that would work well with your micro light using the ultra thin Vanish 4 lb. test line as the kicker. Looking forward to a report from this fly in the spring. Thanks for sharing
Bill, I think that you are right on with your comment....
DeleteWould be fun fishing ultralight gear with an appropriate sized Stayner Ducktail Jig for Panfish and Bass for sure. Thanks for your visit and comment.