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.
