Dabbler, Doobry, Cruncher,.....?

[Gander]

Originally Posted by arkle

I was always aware that the pattern was first used, albeit possibly with a different name by the head of Ardleigh Res, The name of the guy escapes me but I'm sure he was a Scottish gentleman whose name was Richard...... in the late 60's early 70's. He was the first man to be in charge there.

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If memory serves me right, the gentleman you mention used a fly called the Killer Nymph. It was basically a hackleless Cruncher in different colours. Whether he added a hackle to it at some stage, I don't know. I think I have an article stored away somewhere, so I'll see if I can dig it out.

[arkle]

Vern-O, not far off, but I don't recall the "red wire" more likely to have been copper or gold.

[sloppyloops]

Hi vern-o.

This text is taken from "Sucess With Trout" by Martin Cairncross,John Dawson & Chris Ogborne :

"Pheasant Tail ( Imitative )
There are many variations of Pheasant Tail,but this pattern has brought us consistent sucess on many waters.The body is tied from the lightest available cock pheasant centre tail and ribbed with fine silver wire.It has a long light ginger tail,a peack herl thorax,and two turns of a Greenwell's hen hackle at the head.Tied on a Drennan Wet Fly Supreme size 10 or 12,it is a marvellous point fly,but will perform well anywhere on the cast.it can often take difficult fish which fail to respond to other patterns".

There is a colour photo , and it is tied in the same style as the now standard cruncher.

Hope this helps.

Regards

SL