Polystickle

[Wildfisher]

I remember when it first appeared, 1960s or 70s. It was the must have fly of its day.

I found this image.  Anyone tie or use this fly? 

[SoldierPmr]

Seen it in plenty of books never tried it my self but imagen they would be good in waters shared with plenty of coarse fish.

[Bobfly]

Was it not intended for the likes of fish feeding in the autumn for bait fish in the shallow margins?
I have caught a few troots on a silvery bodied bait fish type fly with a "wing" along the back made with a bunch of bronze mallard and a head of peacock herl. That has been ripped to bits on a few days !!

[Wildfisher]

Yes that would be fragile. The Polystickle uses raffia  which I expect would be more robust.

[lnelson20]

Very effective late season on our local lochs Fred,always liked the translucent look of that fry.I tie a similar type of pattern using pearl mylar and holographic tinsels covered with clear plastic,very effective.

Chris.

[Wildfisher]

I keep meaning to try it on Uist where all the lochs have sticklebacks.

That's what brought it to mind in fact. There are sticklebacks in a lot of lochs, unlike minnows they are also, I believe,  native to highland Scotland.

[Wildfisher]

Some interesting stuff on Scottish sticklebacks here

http://www.snh.gov.uk/about-scotlands-nature/species/fish/freshwater-fish/sticklebacks/

[Highlander]

My God a blast from the past. Used them frequently in the 70s/80s when I passed through the Dark Side of fishing. Never had much luck with them I recall other than they were good for Perch in places like Menteith. Fred mentions Raffia but I thought it used Raffene which is the synthetic version of the natural material. Still doubt I will ever go back to them but they certainly look the part as an attractor lure. Maybe they are due a come back who knows.
Tight Lines

[Wildfisher]

My God a blast from the past.

It sure is. One time it was a go-to lure.

I  think you are right about the Raffene.

Things have moved on since those days, so perhaps it's a fly that needs an update, like a marabou tail to give it a bit more "life" and a bead at the head to give it a bit more action. 

[lnelson20]

Put up a wee report on the polystickle a few years ago,polystickled in praise of an oldie.

Chris