Fly of the Month--Copper and Black:  by Alex Barkume 

This month's fly of the month is a pattern for which I know no name - other than the Copper and Black.   I was sent a picture of this fly by Mike Gorman (Rogue River Guide) in order to tie some up for my recent vacation.   My daughter and I spent two days w/ Mike with hopes of taking some Rogue River steelhead and further, on the wet fly swing.  Mike assured me this was the hot fly and it proved so for me.  Rogue steelheading is typically a nymphing affair; seldom do the sea run rainbows of the Rogue move for the wet fly yet one did for this great looking pattern.   

Copper and Black
Originator:  Mike Gorman

Hook:   Tiemco 7999 or equivalent - sizes 6 and 8
Thread:   Black, 6/0 thread
Tail:  Red hackle fibers along w/ barred lemon wood duck feather
Body:  Copper and Black New Age Chenille
Wing:  Matched set of grizzly hackle tips - Silver Hilton style
Over wing:  several pieces of copper crystal flash.
Collar:  Partridge Hackle

1. Just above the point of the hook, tie in a several barbs from a red hen hackle.  Then, tie in several fibers from a barred lemon wood duck feather.   Fibers should extend to the end or just past the end of the bend of the hook. 
2. Tie in a piece of Copper and Black New Age Chenille above the point and wrap toward the eye of the hook.  Be sure to stop about a 3/16^th of an inch from the eye to make room for the wing, collar and head.
3. Tie in two grizzly tips - standing on edge and splayed outward.   The tips should reach back to the bend in the hook.  They should be tilted toward the back of the hook just as you would a hair wing wet fly.  It helps to lightly mash the quills with needle nose pliers.  This will help with the tendency for the tips to roll over.  Throw down two or three loose wraps, snug by pulling up on the thread and then over-wrap with a few more tight wraps. 
4. Tie in 5 or 6 pieces of copper crystal flash over the grizzly tips.
5. Wrap in a larger sized Partridge hackle (1+½ wraps).
6. Tie off a neat, small head and whip-finish and lacquer.

This fly is a take off of the venerable Silver Hilton so it shouldn't be a surprise that this is a great steelhead pattern.   The addition of the Copper and Black New Age turn this classic into a great looking retro!

Mike prefers to use a sinking line when fishing the swing.   I used a type III Uniform Sink line on our recent trip.   The theory is that the sinking line won't snake around due to the currents as much as a floater.  In addition, Mike reminded me, the current is always less strong in the lower water column, hence the fish don't have to work as hard to take the fly. 

As I started lengthening my casts, I could feel the line coming around tight below me.   Soon I felt the surge of a good take and the building tension just prior to the steelie heading back down the river.   My daughter took over and landed a bright wild fish of about 6 or 7 lbs. 

I plan on taking a few of these beauties over to the Deschutes.   You may want to tie up a few them yourself. Tight Lines,      Alex

Raschelle