This fly, like a full-dressed Lady Catherine steelhead fly has got a flat shank profile and a "leggy" look from through the gape. A notable modern design characteristic of this fly is its skinny and sparse elegance. The minimalist design ethic has gone in and out of fashion in the history of fly tying, but it's never been as pronounced as it has become in recent decades.
A closer look at this fly reveals a keen sense of utility in its trim form; it seems nearly every fiber serves a purpose, none appear extraneous, all are integral to the pattern's usefulness.
In achieving this heightened sense of restraint and pure function, MJ has made great use of Angora goat dubbing, a long-fibered and durable material shorn from the goat species native to Asia Minor (or Turkey, in the modern day geopolitick). This species was brought to Europe in the middle of the sixteenth century by Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor. Today, Angora goats are bred and ranched for their wool which is more commonly known as mohair. Even though mohair is most commonly found in sweaters and socks, the fibers of this material are perfect for dubbing applications in fly tying. This natural material is perfect for use in a range of nymph, steelhead, and giant stonefly patterns.
In steelhead tying, Angora goat dubbing is commonly known as the best all-natural substitute for the more traditional but illegal option, seal dubbing.
Angora is spiky and softer than seal, giving it a more supple quality at the vise. Some traditional steelhead tyers lament the unavailability of traditional materials and frown upon the use of more pedestrian fibers, but for the every day tyer focused on utility, Angora goat dubbing is an excellent material choice.
Evan LeBon is a regular contributor to beyondthebug.com
photos provided by Ian McNemar, a regular contributor to beyondthebug.com
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