The Classics Red Tag

[maharg]

Red Tag

Originaly tied in the 1850s, and named the Worchester Gem. This fly has caught thousands of grayling including my first grayling on a dry fly. A very simple pattern that supports many variants,
Yellow tail, Treacle Parkin
White hackle, Grayling witch.
It can be fished wet also but excels as a dry.

• Hook 16 or 18 dry
• Tail red wool
• body bronze peacock herl
• Hackle ginger or red game cock

Wet red tag
As above but with a slip of red goose for the tail and a hen hackle at the head.


Another variant of this pattern is the Worm fly. Created by William Black in the 1870s. It was designed to be fished slow and deep.
Basically two red tags tied in tandem with one hook up and one down. A strong piece of nylon linking them together.


Taking this a step further. Richard Walker devised a fly called a Dambuster. It was a variant on the Worm fly but tied on a longshank single. Fished again slow and deep, the cock hackles were in place to allow the fly to be crept along the concrete wall of a dam without snagging. He suggested a change of tails to include yellow and arc-chrome flourescent wool.



Hope you enjoy and look forward to reading your imput.
P.S. picture a wee bit iffy as taken inside.

[stockiebasherno1]

Cool flies mate!
like the look of the last one

[madjoni]

simple but deadly paterns.....i love it
must try this Dambuster,looks cool

[Bert]

Cracking fly with a tungsten bead as well. Trout go nuts for it.

[Chris Reeves]

The Dambuster was one of the first flies I learned to tie, It is very easy but also very effective. It does the job intended too, If tied with a good stiff hackle you can cast it onto the dam wall and crawl it down the slope without breaking off the point or, more importantly getting the fly stuck in the crack between the cement blocks.
for some reason in the early 80's we all stopped using these flies, I guess as competition angling tok off we changed to the "International rules " sized flies and long shank hooks disappeared. I'm going to tie up a few of these for this season and see if the Grafham fish still take them.

Nice thread.

[REIDY10_0]

A single maggot complements the fly when trotting for Grayling.

I have caught bloody loads of grayling on that fly it is deadly.

Munro

[mrbox]

The first fly I tied and the first fly I caught a fish on.

Long off memories but still a firm favourite.
regards Rob.

ps have also tied the tail with orange wool "Treacle Parkin" and used a white hackle with a longer red tail "Sturdy`s Fancy" and enjoyed success

[andypandy]

picric red tag

[sewinbasher]

I'd not be without a Red Tag when grayling fishing and for me one of the benefits is that, when fished as a bob fly, you can flick the water off and get a couple of floats as a dry fly if required.

[Mrtrout]

VERY nice Graham, thanks, you have inspired me for tomorrows tying.
S.