PATTERN OF THE MONTH - December 2004
Grizzly King
Hook: Size 10 - 6 steelhead/salmon
Thread: Black 6/0
Tail: Red hackle fibers
Body: Olive or green floss
Rib: Flat gold tinsel
Wing: Two grizzly hackle tips, flared.
Hackle: Grizzly in front of wing.

Tying Instructions:
1.Wind thread base to rear of hook at hook point and tie in flat gold tinsel.
2. Wind tinsel back to barb, then forward to hook point and tie off.
3. Tie in red hackle barbs and post them up at a 30-degree angle. Tie in flat gold tinsel then green floss.
4. Wind the floss forward, back, then forward again to form a smooth tapered body. Tie off and trim.
5. Wind tinsel forward in evenly spaced turns. Tie off and trim.
6. Tie in a pair of grizzly hackle tips, flared with concave sides facing out.
7. Tie in a webby grizzly hackle in front of the wings and wind a full collar. Tie off and trim.
8. Build a tapered head, whip finish, and cement.

There are many successful patterns that spawn variation upon variation as anglers refine their flies to suit their specific fishing needs. The Grizzly King began as a Brookie fly. Then it was enlarged for Atlantic Salmon and ultimately found it's way to the West in the pursuit of steelhead. In this version of the Grizzly King the wing is a pair of flared hackle tips. This is a common streamer style used in steelhead flies because the hackle tips are unlikely to tangle in the hook bend. The body is dressed with floss, which, in combination with the simple wings produce a fly that will sink rapidly. Another similar pattern, very popular in our area, is the Silver Hilton.

Tying Tips - Get a Grip
If you use a conventional style hackle pliers with metal jaws and want to stop slippage, here's a suggestion that accomplishes this, and reduces breakage. Get some very fine emery cloth and simply glue two small slightly oversized pieces to the inside gripping surfaces of the pliers. The clamping force will hold these pieces in place until dry. Then take a double-edge razor blade and carefully trim off the excess. The fine abrasive surface greatly improves holding power, while the soft cloth edges prevent hackle stems from being accidentally cut. The emery can easily be replaced when necessary.