Ronalds

[Traditionalist]

I am still working on the plate enhancements for this section. I will add them as I complete them. Unfortunately this is rather difficult as the best I have are badly faded, discoloured,  and water damaged quite apart from the general "foxing"  (  see here http://www.bookologist.com/cab/abu/y203/m03/bk0001/s03).  Restoring and enhancing such plates takes time.

[Traditionalist]

Alfred Ronalds: "A Fly Fisher´s Entomology" 1856  

1. The Red Fly:
Body: The dubbing is composed of the dark part of squirrel's fur, mixed with an equal quantity of claret-colored mohair, showing the most claret fur at the tail of the fly. This is spun on brown silk thread, to form the body.

   Wings: From the softest quill feather of the Pea-hen's wing which approaches the tint.
   Legs: Of a claret-colored stained hackle. No feather of its natural color, that I know of, is of the proper shade. Clip some of the upper fibers off, that the wings may lie flat.
   Hook: 2. short.

2. The Blue Dun:
    Body: Fur of a hare's ear or face, spun very thinly on fine yellow silk, and wound on at the thickest at the shoulder. Some of the dubbing is then picked out to form the legs.
    Tail: Two fibers of a dun hackle.
    Legs: If a sufficient quantity of dubbing cannot be picked out for the legs, two or three turns of a ginger dun hackle can be      added, and will help keep the wings upright. Put these on last, whipping them on the bare hook, and finish at the head.
       Hook: 2. Grayling.

   Note: This elegant fly kills well until June made as follows:

   Body: yellow silk waxed, with a very little Blue Dun fur from rat, mouse, mole, or rabbit, silk so that the yellow shows  through. Body tapering from shoulder to tail.
    Legs: A Honey Dun hackle, four or five turns.
    Wings: A Starling's quill feather, put on last, on the bare hook, so as to stand up boldly.

     Hook: 2. Grayling.



3. The Red Spinner:
   Body: Thin, of light brown silk, ribbed with fine gold twist.
   Tail: two whisks of a red cock's hackle.
   Wings: upright, from a mottled grey feather of the mallard, stained to match the color of the natural wings.
   Legs: plain red cock's hackle.
   Hook: 2, Grayling.

   Note: some of the best Derbyshire anglers make it thus:

   Wing: upright from under-covert wing feather of a young grouse.

Body: silk, the color of Russia leather and ribbed with the finest yellow silk. Two dun fibers for tail.


But after a frosty morning they make it as follows:

Wing: starling onion dyed.

Body: claret silk

Legs: dead furnace hackle.

Note: Thus made, it is called the 'Frost Fly'.

   4. The Water Cricket:
   Body: orange floss silk, tied on with black silk thread.
   Legs: are best made of one of the two longest feathers of a peawit's topping. If this cannot be easily procured, a black cock's hackle will answer the purpose and is easier to use. Either of these must be wound all the way down the body, and the fibers then snipped off [about half-way or two-thirds of the way up the body].

         Hook: 0 or 1 (#14 or #15)
   Note: The rib may be formed with black silk, and the hackle fastened at the shoulder. This is an easier way.

   5. The Dark Drone:
   Body: Mole fur, ribbed over with black ostrich, when spun on black silk.
   Wings and Legs: Made buzz with a dun hackle, the tint a shade or two lighter than that of the natural wings.

   Hook: 4, long


When this fly is made with the wings and legs not buzz, the dun feather of the wing of the mallard is used, and a grizzled hackle for legs, upon the same body


Note: The use of a smaller 'Spring Black' than the above is recommended in preference
Body: black Ostrich hurl
Wings and Legs: Purplish feather of a cock Starling, wound on as a hackle.

Hook: 1, long

   6. Cowdung Fly:
   Body: yellow worsted, mohair, or camlet, mixed with a little dingy brown fur from the bear, and left rough, spun upon light brown silk
   Wings: from the landrail
   Legs: of a ginger-colored hackle


   The female is made buzz thus:
   Body: olive-colored mohair, or worsted, spun on silk of the same color
   Wings and Legs: red cock's hackle, changed to a brown color by putting it in a solution of copperas.

Hook: 3, short

   7. The Peacock Fly:
   Body: ruddy-brown peacock's hurl, dressed with mulberry-colored silk.
   Wings: the darkest part of a wing feather of the starling.
   Legs: a hackle stained dark purple; appearing black when looked down upon; but when held up to the light, having a most beautiful dark tortoiseshell hue.

         Hook: 1 or 2, short. (#14 or #13)


Note: the Buzz form of this fly is a great Grayling killer, in spring and autumn, and is much prized on the Derwent, near Rowsley. It is made thus:

Body: the reddest strand of a peacock's feather
Legs and Wings: a light-ish dun hackle; made with mulberry-colored silk. It is called the 'Little Chap' and is described with  variations, by Arundo in 'Practical Fly-fishing,' p. 26

   8. March Brown:
   Body: fur of the hare's face ribbed over with orange silk, and tied with brown.
   Tail: two strands of a partridge feather
   Wings: quill feather from the middle of the hen pheasant's wing, which may be found of the exact shade
   Legs: a brown mottled feather from the back of a partridge.

   Hook: 2, 3, or 4, long. (#13, #12 and #11)


Note: The female of this excellent fly must by no means be neglected; and observe that females are generally a few days later in their appearance on the water than the males


Body: pale olive green wool, ribbed with fine gold twist
Legs: a honey dun hackle that is less bright than a golden dun
Wings: upright, the same as for the male; but the hackle will impart a lighter shade

   9. Great Red Spinner:
   Body: hog's dyed red-brown (or orange and brown floss silk mixed), spun on brown silk. It is ribbed with fine gold twist
   Tail: two long whisks of a bright amber red hackle
   Wings: from the under covert feather of the Starling's wing
   Legs: a bright amber red-hackle

   Hook: 2, 3, or 4, long. (#13, #12 and #11)

   10. Golden Dun Midge:
   Body: olive floss silk ribbed with gold twist, and tied with dun silk thread
   Wings: from the palest feather of a young Starling
   Legs: a pure dun hackle, wound on in front of the wings.

   Hook: 1, Grayling. (#14)

   11. Sand Fly:
   Body: of the sandy colored fur from the hare's neck, spun on silk of the same color
   Wings: from the Landrail's wing made full
   Legs: from a light ginger feather from the neck of a hen

   Hook: 2, long. (#13)


Note: a good variation of this fly is to use orange silk, and show it most at the tail; and instead of a light ginger hen's hackle, use one with a dark stripe down the middle. In any case, cut off the upper fibers of the hackle, that the wings may lie flat.

   12. The Stone Fly:
   Body: fur of hare's ear mixed with yellow worsted or camlet, ribbed over with yellow silk, leaving most yellow at the tail
   Tail: a strand or two of a brown mottled partridge feather
   Wings: quill feather form the hen pheasant's wing
   Legs: a hackle stained greenish-brown: or a natural dark grizzle

   Hook: 4, or 5, long. (#11 or #10)

   13. The Gravel Bed:
   Body: dark dun or lead-colored silk thread dressed very fine
   Wings: from an under covert feather of the Woodcock's wing
   Legs: a black cock's hackle rather long, wound, twice only, round the body.

   Hook: 0 or 1, long. (#15 or #14)


To make it buzz, a dark dun cock's hackle may be used, with a ginger tinge at the edges.


Note: This fly kills well in May: weather bright, water clear, and when no other fly will raise fish. Some prefer the brightest outside (scapular) feather of Woodcock's wing: and use the same feather, to make it buzz. The silk for the body should be of the most repulsive, ashy, livid hue that you can find.

   14. The Grannom:

   Body: fur of hare's face left rough, spun on brown silk. A little green floss silk may be worked in at the tail to represent the bunch of eggs there.
   Wings: feather from Partridge's wing, made very full.
   Legs: a pale ginger hen's hackle.

Hook: 2, long. (#13)


Note: Made buzz with a feather from the back of the Partridge's neck, wound upon the above body. The Shell Fly, or Palmer, as this is sometimes called, kills well made buzz with a Landrail's scapular feather. Body: pea-green German wool. Make with orange silk, shown only at the head.

   15. The Yellow Dun:
   Body: yellow mohair, mixed with a little pale blue fur from a mouse. Or yellow silk thread waxed, and with the least blue rabbit fur spun upon it, and ribbed with yellow silk.
   Wings: upright, from the lightest part of a young Starling's quill feather.
   Legs: a light yellow dun hackle.

   Hook: 2, Grayling. (#13)


Note: To make it buzz, a lighter dun hackle than is represented in the figure is wound upon the same body. In either case, make with primrose silk, and delicately.


Remarks: This Yellow Dun changes to a Spinner of rather lighter and yellowier brown than that which the Blue Dun turns to, is very nearly of the same size, and lives nine days. Its imitation may consequently be made of the same materials as that of the Red Spinner, only choosing lighter tints.


Remarks: If made as a hackle, prefer a cock's hackle for Grayling, a hen's hackle for trout; and rib with unwaxed yellow silk over the body, as above. When made with the feather of a Dotterel as a hackle, it is called the 'Dotterel Dun,' a far-famed fly.

   16. The Iron Blue Dun:
   Body: blue fur from a mole. reddish brown floss silk may be tied on for the head.
   Tail: a whisk or two out of a yellow dun hackle.
   Wings: from a feather of the under-side of the Cormorant's wing or a feather from the breast of the Water-hen, the tip of which must be used, or the upper end of the wing feather of a Tom-tit when in full plumage.
   Legs: a very short yellow dun hackle.

   Hook: 0, short (#15)


It is difficult to find a hackle feather of the tint proper to make this fly buzz.


Remarks: A feather from the Merlin hawk's wing may be used, if procurable, to wing this fly.

   17. The Jenny Spinner:

   Body: white floss silk round the shank of the hook, &c. and tied on at the head and tail with brown silk, which must be  shown.
    Tail: a whisk or two of a light dun hackle.
    Wings and Legs: best imitated by making them buzz; for which purpose the lightest dun hackle that can be procured  should be used.

Hook: 0, short. (#15)

   18. The Hawthorne Fly:
   Body: black Ostrich hurl.
   Wings: a feather of the Starling's wing.
   Legs: a black cock's hackle; or one of the two largest feathers from a Pea-wit's top-knot.

   Hook: 2 or 3. long.


The fly cannot very easily be made buzz, unless the female is imitated, in which case a black hackle, wound over the above-mentioned ostrich hurl, will answer the purpose; and the fly so made is sometimes called the Black Palmer, or Black Caterpillar.

   19. The Little Yellow May Dun:
   Body: pale ginger-colored fur from behind the hare's ear, ribbed over with yellow silk thread.
   Tail: one or two whisks from a dun hackle.
   Wings: mottled feather from the mallard, stained as for the Green Drake
   Legs: a light dun hackle also very slightly stained yellowish in the same dye.

   Hook: 2. long.

   20. The Black Gnat:

   Body: black ostrich hurl.
    Wings: the dark part of a feather from the Starling.
    Legs: a black hackle.

Hook: 0, or 1, short.


To make it buzz, a light hen hackle may be wound upon the above body; and thus made, it kills decidedly best.


Remarks: there is another imitation of the Black Gnat, of which Grayling are very fond.


Body: black ostrich hurl.
Wings and Legs: The purplish breast feather of a cock Starling, wound on hackle-wise.


The Black Midge should be made like the winged imitation of the Black Gnat, but with the substitution of a thin black silk body.

   21. The Oak Fly:
   Body: orange floss-silk tied with ash-colored silk thread, which may be shown at the tail and shoulders.
   Wings: from a scapular feather of the Woodcock.
   Legs: a furnace hackle (i.e. a red cock's hackle, with a black list up the middle and tinged with black also at the extremities of the fibers). This should be struck from tail to head and the fibers snipped off nearly up to where the wings are set on, leaving a sufficient quantity for the legs.

   Hook: 2 or 3, long.


Remark: the small Woodcock and Grouse feathers (which can be used indifferently) make very neat hackle flies; and the beginner  will find pleasure in making the Oak Fly of various sizes in the following easy manner:

Body: orange floss silk, ribbed with fine black silk, which may be slightly waxed. Then form the head of the fly with your  arming silk (brown), and choosing a Woodcock or Grouse feather, whose fibers are the exact length of the hook, just  clear of the head, and wind the feather round as a hackle, holding it by the quill, and fasten off under the shoulder.

   22. The Turkey Brown:
   Body: Dark brown floss silk ribbed with purple silk thread.
   Tail: a whisk or two of a red cock's hackle, stained as for the legs.
   Wings: tips of the brownest feather from a Partridge's tail, or, if well selected, a feather may be found on the back of the Partridge.
   Legs: red cock's hackle stained a good brown with copperas.


   To make it buzz, a feather from the Grouse may be tied on hackle-wise, in the manner shown for the Green Drake, No. 28.

   23. The Little Dark Spinner:
   Body: mulberry-colored floss silk ribbed over with purple silk thread.
   Tail: three of four whisks out of the stained hackle feather which is used for the legs.
   Wings: from a feather of the Starling's wing.
   Legs: a purple stained hackle which appears black when looked down upon, but which shines with a dark tortoise-shell tint when held between the eye and the light.

   Hook: 1, long. (#14)

   24. The Yellow Sally:
   Body: any yellowish buff fur ribbed with yellow or apple-green silk.
   Wings: from a wing feather of a white hen, or Fieldfare, stained pale yellow.
   Legs: from an extremely pale ginger hackle or a white feather dyed a yellowish tint.

   Hook: 2, short.

   25. The Sky Blue:
   Body: pale ginger mohair mixed with light blue fur.
   Tail: a whisk or two of the hackle used for the legs.
   Wings: from a feather of the Sea Swallow, or of a very light blue dun hen.
   Legs: hackle stained a pale yellow.

   Hook: 0. short. (#15)

   26. The Fern Fly
   Body: orange floss silk.
   Wings: the darkest part of a feather from the Starling's wing.
   Legs: a red cock's hackle.

   Hook: 2. short.


To make it buzz, a lightish furnace hackle is wound upon the above body.

   27. The Adler Fly:
   Body: dark floss mulberry silk, or Peacock's hurl, tied with black silk.
   Wings: from a feather of a brown hen's or a Peahen's wing.
   Legs: dark umber stained hackle, or, in case of need, a black cock's hackle will answer the purpose tolerably well.

   Hook: 3. or 4. Long.


Note: To make it buzz, a dark dun hackle tinged brown may be wound upon the above body.
Remarks: Fine black German wool (a little) dubbed on dark reddish-brown silk, makes the body of this fly very well.

   28. a. The Green Drake:
   Body: the middle part is of pale straw-colored floss silk, ribbed with silver twist. The extremities are of a brown Peacock's hurl, tied with light brown silk thread.
   Tail: three rabbit's whiskers.
   Wings and Legs: made buzz from a mottled feather of the Mallard, stained a pale greenish yellow.

   Hook: 5, 6 or 7 long


Note: To make it with the wings in their state of rest, part of a feather suitably stained must be used, and a pale brown Bittern's hackle, or, in case of need, a Partridge feather must be wrapped round the same body under the wings.

       b. The Grey Drake:
   Body: The middle part is of white floss silk, ribbed over neatly with silver twist. The extremities are of brown peacock's hurl tied with brown silk thread.
   Tail: Three rabbit's whiskers.
   Wings and Legs: Made buzz from a mottled feather of the mallard, stained a faint purple.

   Hook: 5 or 6. Long.


To make it with wings at rest, the same pale purple stained hackle may be used for them, and a dark purple stained hackle for the legs, upon the above body.

   29. The Orange Dun
   Body: dark orange silk, and the fly to be dressed with the same.
   Tail: two fibers of a Starling's feather.
   Legs: a dark dun hackle.
   Wings: the dark part of a Starling's quill feather.

   Hook: 2. long or short. (#13)

   30. The Marlow Buzz:
   Body: black Ostrich hurl twisted with Peacock hurl and made with red silk thread.
   Wings and Legs: Are made buzz with a dark furnace cock's hackle.


   To make it with the wings at rest, the darkest part of the Starling's wing and a red cock's hackle may be wound upon the above body in the same way as for the Fern Fly, No. 26.

   31. The Dark Mackerel:
   Body: dark mulberry floss, ribbed with gold twist.
   Tail: three rabbit's whiskers.
   Wings: from the dark brown mottled feather of the Mallard, which hangs from the back over a part of the wing?
   Legs: A purple dyed hackle, appearing black when looked down upon, but of a dark tortoise-shell hue when held between the eye and the light.
   32. The Pale Evening Dun:
   Body: yellow Marten's fur spun on pale fawn-colored silk thread.
   Wings: from a very fine grained feather of the Starling's wing, stained of rather a lighter yellow than that which is used for the Green Drake, No. 28. a.
   Legs: pale dun hackle.

   Hook: 1. short. (#14)


Remarks: The hair of an abortive calf, which would have been red if born at the proper time, is of a resplendent gold color, and forms a good material for the legs of Summer Duns. It is tied on in the manner of wings. Make the above. Small Red Spinner, for June and July:

   Body: clear yellow silk

   Legs: a red cock's hackle

   Wings: Starling's quill feather, from the middle of the wing, and the bird a young one.

   Hook: 1. short. (#14)

   33. The July Dun:
   Body: Mole's fur and pale yellow mohair mixed and spun on yellow silk
   Tail: Two or three whisks of a dark dun hackle
   Wings: Dark part of a feather from the starling's wing, stained darker in strong onion dye
   Legs: Dark dun hackle

   Hook: 2. short. (#13)


Note: To make it buzz, a lighter hackle may be wound upon the above body

   34. The Gold-Eyed Gauze Wing:
   Body: Very pale yellowish green floss silk, tied on with silk thread of the same color
   Legs: The palest blue dun hackle which can be procured
   Wings: Any transparent feather, stained slightly green.

   Hook: 2. long (#13)

   35. The Wren Tail:
   Body: ginger-colored fur ribbed with gold twist
   Wings and Legs: feather from a wren's tail, hackle-wise

   Hook: 1 short (#14)

   36. The Red Ant:
   Body: Peacock's hurl tied with red-brown silk
   Wings: from the feather of the light part of a Starling's wing
   Legs: a red cock's hackle

   Hook: 00. 0. or 1. Long or short (#16, #15, or #14)

      The Black Ant: is made of Peacock's hurl, and black Ostrich mixed, for the body. Wings from the darkest part of the Starling's wing, and legs a black cock's hackle.
   37. The Silver Horns:
   Body: black ostrich hurl tied with black silk, and dressed off
   Wings: feather from the wing of the cock black-bird
   Legs: small black cock's hackle
   Horns: grey feather of the mallard.

   Hook: 2. short. (#13)


Note: To make it buzz the body is ribbed with silver-twist upon black Ostrich hurl, and a nearly black hackle wrapped all down.

   38. The August Dun:
   Body: brown floss silk ribbed with yellow silk thread
   Tail: two rabbit's whiskers
   Wings: feather of a brown hen's wing
   Legs: plain red hackle stained brown

   Hook: 2. short. (#13)


Note: It is made buzz with a grouse feather wound upon the above body. The Red Spinner, to which it changes, is very similar to that which the Blue Dun (No. 2.) turns to, and is a good fly on a mild evening.

   39. The Orange Fly:
   Body: orange floss silk tied on with black silk thread.
   Wings: dark part of the Starling's wing, or feather of a hen Blackbird.
   Legs: a very dark furnace hackle.

   Hook: 1. short. (#14)

   40. The Cinnamon Fly:
   Body: fawn-colored floss silk, tied on with silk thread of the same color.
   Wings: feather of a yellow brown hen's wing, rather darker than the Landrail's wing feather.
   Legs: a ginger hackle.


   It is made buzz with a red hackle from the Grouse, or a red hackle stained brown with copperas, and tied on the same body.

Hook: 3. long. (#12)


Note: So numerous are the species of Caddis Fly resembling the above, different on different waters, that the angler must use his own observation. A wren's tail feather, wound round a hare's ear body, will aid him in giving the rich brown tint common to many of the genus, and the landrail's quill feather will be sufficiently dark with this hackle.


The Sheffield anglers use a fly they call the Partridge Rump, which may be noticed here as proper for this part of the season.


Hook: 4. long (#11)

Body: yellow silk (not floss); feather, Partridge rump. The head is formed with copper-colored Peacock's hurl. a good killer  in Derbyshire waters. It is the yellow-bodied Harry-long-legs

   41. The Blue Bottle:
   Body: bright blue floss silk tied with light brown silk thread, showing the brown at the head
   Wings: feather of the Starling's wing
   Legs: black hackle from a cock wrapped down the principal part of the body

   Hook: 3. short. (#12)


Note: To make it buzz, a dark dun hackle may be wound upon the above body.


Note: The House or Shade-Fly (Musca Domestica) may be noticed here. A first rate angler used to make it thus, for July:
Wings: From under covert feather of Water-hen's wing
Legs: blue Starling feather
Body: light brown and pea-green wool mixed
Head: green Peacock's hurl, and three laps under the wings

Hook: 2. short. (#13)

   42. The Whirling Blue Dun:
   Body: squirrel's red brown fur mixed with yellow mohair, tied with yellow silk thread well waxed
   Tail: one or two whisks of a pale ginger hackle
   Wings: feather from a Starling's wing not very light
   Legs: pale ginger hackle

   Hook: 2. Grayling. (#13)

   43. The Little Pale Blue Dun:
   Body: very pale blue fur mixed with a very little yellow mohair
   Wings: feather from the Sea Swallow
   Legs: the palest blue hackle to be had
   Hook: 1. Grayling. (#14)


   Note: To make it buzz, a sea swallow's feather only may be wound upon the same body.

   44. The Willow (or Withy) Fly:
   Body: mole's fur (a very little) spun upon yellow silk
   Wings and Legs: a dark dun hen's hackle with the edges strongly tinged a copper color; sometimes called a golden dun feather, or a yellow dun

   Hook: 1. Grayling. (#14)

   45. The Red Palmer:
   Body: Peacock hurl with a red cock's hackle wrapped over it, and tied with light brown or red silk thread. This corresponds also with the larva of the Drinker Moth (Odenestis potatoria).
   It may be varied by a ruby-stained hackle; which answers well on the Dove.

   Hook: 6. Palmers. (#9)

   46. The Brown Palmer:
   Body: mulberry-colored worsted spun on brown silk, and a brown-stained cock's hackle wrapped over the whole. It may be varied (to imitate S. Menthastri) by making the body of Ostrich hurl, of a drab color, and winding a grizzled hackle over

   Hook: 6. Palmers. (#9)

   47. The Black and Red Palmer:
   Body: black Ostrich hurl ribbed with gold twist, and a red cock's hackle wrapped over it. This fly may be made large, and will kill large Thames trout, of 3, 4, and 5 lbs. and Salmon Trout, with great success. The feather at the shoulder should be a large furnace hackle from the rump of a game cock, and the Ostrich hurl should be wound thickest there. The gold twist should be shown clearly at the tail, and the tail-hook should be large and strong.
   Hook: 7. Palmers. (#8)