F.F. for the Shannon E
The following flies are listed in Francis Francis's book " A Book On Angling" from 1867.
For the SHANNON.
No. 1: " This fly was dressed years ago for me by Blacker. It is quit a work of art."
Tag : Gold tinsel and lemon-yellow floss.
Tail : Two toppings, scarlet ibis and blue Macaw.
Butt : Black ostrich.
Body : Off floss silk; in joints of various colour, pale blue, orange, puce and pea green. Every joint being mounted
Tail : Two toppings, scarlet ibis and blue Macaw.
Butt : Black ostrich.
Body : Off floss silk; in joints of various colour, pale blue, orange, puce and pea green. Every joint being mounted
by a turn of ostrich herl of the same colour at the joint, and over this a hackle of the same tint.
Ribs : Gold thread wraped on each joint seperately.
Throat : One or two Golden pheasant red rump feathers, used as hackles.
Wings : Two bright yellow macaw feathers with black streak down the centre, a strip of dark-speckled Argus on
Throat : One or two Golden pheasant red rump feathers, used as hackles.
Wings : Two bright yellow macaw feathers with black streak down the centre, a strip of dark-speckled Argus on
either side, and sprigs of tippet ditto, two or three slips of Ibis at shoulder and over them, on either cheek,
a small feather of purple lory. Two or three toppings over.
Horns : Blue Macaw.
Head : Black.
Horns : Blue Macaw.
Head : Black.
* " I don't think the jointed body by any means neccessary, nor is it used generally on the Shannon. Probably an orange
body would answer all requisites, as orange is in favour on the Shannon. "
No. 2: The next three flies are dressed by Stephen Ellis, of Killaloe, one of the best practitioners on the Shannon in
that part and they are considered the best patterns which can be put on the river.
Tag : Silver tinsel and orange floss.
Tail : One topping.
Body : Darkish blue floss.
Body : Darkish blue floss.
Ribs : Silver tinsel.
Hackle : A blue Jay, half way down the body.
Hackle : A blue Jay, half way down the body.
Wings : A deep red-orange feather ( a cock of the rock might do) about the lenght of the hook; on either side of this two
shorter orange-yellow macaw feathers, and smallish tippet outside of them. Over these some golden pheasant
tail and gallina sprigs, loose.
Horns : Blue Macaw.
Head : Medium orange ruff of Mohair.
Horns : Blue Macaw.
Head : Medium orange ruff of Mohair.
No. 3:
Tag : Silver tinsel and medium green floss.
Tail : Two orange-yellow Toucan points.
Body : Brightish orange floss.
Ribs : Silver tinsel.
Hackle : Brown olive.
Throat : A few turns Blue Jay.
Wings : A short Cock of the rock, two short orange-yellow Macaw or Toucan, these not quit as long as the hook,
Tail : Two orange-yellow Toucan points.
Body : Brightish orange floss.
Ribs : Silver tinsel.
Hackle : Brown olive.
Throat : A few turns Blue Jay.
Wings : A short Cock of the rock, two short orange-yellow Macaw or Toucan, these not quit as long as the hook,
over them mixed spriges of gallina stained yellow, blue and red Macaw.
Head : Black.
Head : Black.
No. 4:
Tag : Silver tinsel and medium green floss.
Tail : A couple of yellow Toucan points
Body : Brightish orange floss.
Ribs : Silver tinsel.
Hackle : Brown Olive.
Tail : A couple of yellow Toucan points
Body : Brightish orange floss.
Ribs : Silver tinsel.
Hackle : Brown Olive.
Throat : A few turns of Blue jay.
Wings : Mixed points of yellow stained Mallard, tippet, gallina,and red and mauve Macaw.
Head : Black.
Wings : Mixed points of yellow stained Mallard, tippet, gallina,and red and mauve Macaw.
Head : Black.
No. 1: The next two patterns were sent to Francis Francis by Mr. Hurly, of Killaloe.
Tag : Silver twist and light orange floss.
Tail : Sprigs of green, blue, yellow and red.
Body : Ruby floss.
Ribs : Silber twist.
Hackle : Medium claret.
Throat : Blue Jay.
Wings : Mixed fibers, red, green and blue, and gallina with a small bunch of golden pheasant tippet in the middle and
Body : Ruby floss.
Ribs : Silber twist.
Hackle : Medium claret.
Throat : Blue Jay.
Wings : Mixed fibers, red, green and blue, and gallina with a small bunch of golden pheasant tippet in the middle and
two slices of brown Mallard over.
Horns : Red macaw.
Head : Black.
Head : Black.
No. 2:
Tag : Silver twist and ruby floss.
Tail : red, yellow and green, and golden pheasant tippet (sprigs).
Body : Orange-yellow floss.
Ribs : Tinsel.
Hackle : Medium claret.
Throat : Blue Jay.
Wings : Mixed fibers, red, green and blue, and gallina with a small bunch of golden pheasant tippet in the middle and two
Tail : red, yellow and green, and golden pheasant tippet (sprigs).
Body : Orange-yellow floss.
Ribs : Tinsel.
Hackle : Medium claret.
Throat : Blue Jay.
Wings : Mixed fibers, red, green and blue, and gallina with a small bunch of golden pheasant tippet in the middle and two
slices of brown Mallard.
Horns : Red Macaw.
Head : Black.
Horns : Red Macaw.
Head : Black.
No. 3 :
Tag : Golden twist and golden floss.
Tail : A topping and slips of blue and red Macaw.
Butt : Black herl.
Body : Three of orange floss, medium reddish claret Pig's wool with a few dark blue fibers thrown in.
Ribs : Stoutish golden thread.
Hackle : A light reddish claret hackle, comensing about halfway down the body.
Throat : Blue Jay.
Wings : Mixed fibers, red, green, and blue, and gallina with a small bunch of golden pheasant tippets in the middle and
Butt : Black herl.
Body : Three of orange floss, medium reddish claret Pig's wool with a few dark blue fibers thrown in.
Ribs : Stoutish golden thread.
Hackle : A light reddish claret hackle, comensing about halfway down the body.
Throat : Blue Jay.
Wings : Mixed fibers, red, green, and blue, and gallina with a small bunch of golden pheasant tippets in the middle and
two slices of brown Mallard.
Horns : Blue Macaw.
Head : Black.
Horns : Blue Macaw.
Head : Black.
No. 4 :
Tag : Golden twist and golden floss.
Tail : A topping and slips of blue and red Macaw.
Butt : Black herl.
Body : Three of ruby floss, medium reddish claret Pig's wool.
Ribs : Stoutish golden thread.
Hackle : A light reddish claret hackle, comensing about halfway down the body.
Throat : Blue Jay.
Butt : Black herl.
Body : Three of ruby floss, medium reddish claret Pig's wool.
Ribs : Stoutish golden thread.
Hackle : A light reddish claret hackle, comensing about halfway down the body.
Throat : Blue Jay.
Wings : Mixed fibers, red, green and blue, and gallina with a smal bunch of golden pheasant tippets in the middle and
two slices of brown Mallard. Two or three fibers of green peacock herl.
Horns : Blue Macaw.
Head : Black.
Horns : Blue Macaw.
Head : Black.
No. 5:
Tag : Silver twist and ruby floss.
Tail : One topping.
Body : Black floss.
Tail : One topping.
Body : Black floss.
Ribs : Silver twist.
Hackle : Medium claret.
Throat : Blue Jay.
Wings : Mixed fibers, red, green and blue, with the blue more pronounced, and gallina with a small bunch of
Hackle : Medium claret.
Throat : Blue Jay.
Wings : Mixed fibers, red, green and blue, with the blue more pronounced, and gallina with a small bunch of
golden pheasant tippet in the middle and two slices of brown Mallard. Two or three fibers of green peacock herl.
Head : Black.
Head : Black.
No. 6:
Tag : Silver twist and ruby floss.
Tail : Mixed fibers of blue and red Macaw.
Body : Greenish olive-yellow floss.
Body : Greenish olive-yellow floss.
Ribs : Silver thread.
Hackle : Brown olive.
Hackle : Brown olive.
Throat : Blue Jay.
Wings : Mixed fibers red, green and blue, and gallina, with a small bunch of golden pheasant tippet in the middle, two
slices of brown Mallard over,
Horns : Red Macaw.
Head : Black.
Horns : Red Macaw.
Head : Black.