Hardy's Favorite Wet Fly

Classic Wet Fly: Hardy’s Favorite

Hook: Wet Fly Hook, sizes 6 to 14
Body: Burgundy or Red Floss*
Rib: Peacock Herl*
Tail: Golden Pheasant Tippets, Ringneck Pheasant substituted here
Wing: Female Golden Pheasant Tail (traditionally), Turkey used here
Throat: Partridge or Similar
*Other recipes call for a peacock herl body with a floss rib. The effect is similar, and maybe a little more robust.

Created in the 1870’s by James Hardy of the Hardy Brothers tackle company. I guess it was his favorite. I liked this pattern as soon as I saw it. It has that combination of red and peacock herl that fish seem to love. It may become a favorite of mine as well. I could imagine it with different color floss bodies and maybe an antron wing.

I originally found this pattern in The Art of Fly Tying by Claude Chartrand. This is a nice little book. I wouldn’t reccomend it as your first fly tying book however. But it makes a nice addition to your library. I particularly liked the a section on extended body techniques. Also I was inspired by the good selection of classic streamers and wet flies in the pattern index.