The Classics : Alexandra

[maharg]

Another very old pattern and a fly that was banned on many waters.
Generally fished as a point fly as an out and out attractor. I think it might be a good copy for a stickleback.
It has been used for salmon and trout to great effect, though again like the Peter Ross is an bit of a love/ hate fly.

The Alexandra,

• Hook down eye 12-8
• Tail a slip of red swan or sub'
• Body flat silver tinsel
• Rib silver wire or oval in larger sizes
• Hackle Black cock or genetic hen
• Wing Peacock sword feather fibres
• Cheeks thin slip of red swan or sub'
• Thread black

There are a few variants including tandem versions and this one I firsts saw promoted by Jim McBride in F.F and F. Tying about 10 years ago.
I have found this to be a brilliant fly for rainbows. It is one fly that I do turn my back to the water to tie on, it's that good.

• Hook wee double size 12
• Tail red holographic tinsel
• Body silver holographic tinsel
• Rib none or silver wire.
• Hackle and wing as original
• Cheeks 1 strand of red holographic tinsel
• Thread black

What about any variants you have or experiances of fishing the Alexandra.
Cheers, Graham.

[sweenytodd]

I fished it a lot last season when the fish had started on the fry and it hammered fish

[g bigtrout]

Tied a couple up after the m8 caught his first Dollaghan on one, then did a variant with green neck feather on golden pheasant cape. Then as a bit of fun made an Alexander the last one.....well every girl should have a boy.





Alexander

[shpeil]

For years, I had real trouble tying on the wings... and then I was browsing Davey McPhail's youtube tutorials... sorted!

I tend to think it looks a bit like a wee perch.

Neil

[sweenytodd]

Originally Posted by shpeil

I tend to think it looks a bit like a wee perch.

Neil

Yes I agree 100% with that . Perch are the main fish in the Lough I fish and that is why this fly does so well .

[3lbgrayling]

Just like the Peter Ross,a very reliable Sea trout fly. I like that wee double.need to give it a go.

Jim

[dabhoy]

Originally Posted by 3lbgrayling

Just like the Peter Ross,a very reliable Sea trout fly. I like that wee double.need to give it a go.

Jim

You are right their Jim as I dont think I have ever had a brownie on it but saying that I dont fish it for them much.I do use it for sea trout though

[allanw]

Originally Posted by dabhoy

You are right their Jim as I dont think I have ever had a brownie on it but saying that I dont fish it for them much.I do use it for sea trout though

I had a few Brown’s a couple of Grayling and one huge Chub on the Alexander many many years ago but this was maybe due to the fact that I fished it every day for about 3 months as someone had told me it fished well on the Welsh Dee and so I kept using it. As Jim said I tend to use for Sewin now and the double shown earlier looks nice.

[oldbull]

Maharg
The peacock sword on the single is spot on; very nice.

OB

[troutheaven]

A brilliant fly in shallow water when the sun has gone down, and slimly dressed is very good on buzzer feeders.
I prefer it with more mobile material for tail and flash, and generally use the waste fluff from the base of a scarlet hackle.