Giant Herring Fly

The GH ( Giant Herring ) fly is a version of a simple fly tied, and used to great effect by local fly fisher Kim Meldrum. Kim’s fly was a simple tuft of bucktail tied at the bend of the hook, no eyes, but loop of heavy nylon a guard to limit the material under-wrapping. This is simply a version with more presentation to keep the angler happy, not so much the fish.

The theory of this fly is that it imitates very well your general small anchovy style baitfish often prevalent in estuary systems. It is very easy to cast on light fly rods, achieving maximum casting distance for any given outfit. It lands lightly. It slices through the water smoothly so a smooth, quick retrieve is easily achieved. It has an amount of hook shank exposed which acts as bite protection. The eye is above the hook point; it is thought that Giant Herring target the eye when striking. This is also very suitable for other small mid water species such as Tailor and Herring. Finally the nylon loop acts as an efficient anti wrapping device, which would otherwise be a problem with this style fly.

Recipe

Hook: Mustad Signature Allround O’Shaunessy or similar medium or long shank hook.

Hook Size: #1 – 2/0 usually but can make any size.

Thread: Danville Flat Waxed White or colour to suit.

Wrap Guard: 40-50lb Nylon or Fluorocarbon leader material.

Wing: Any suitable material but this one is Unique hair in white under and Chartreuse over.

Flash: Can use any but minimal, this uses pearl crystal flash

Eye: 3D Stick on

Finish – 5 minute epoxy Resin or UV fly finish.

Step 1. Tie a base of thread at the rear of the hook shank and tie in the nylon loop, then glue ( optional but I like to do it regardless of the final resin coat ).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2, 3 & 4. Tie in lower wing, then a few strands of flash, then add the coloured over- wing. Twist the whole thing together with finger tips and trim the end for a neat taper ending at a point







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5. Form a tapered head with thread then glue on eyes and surround (not cover) the 3D eye’s with resin or UV finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 6. Go fishing.

By Rohan Smith