#55-2013 - Blue Smelt

Tied by: Gary P. Tanner & Loretta Parent
Originated by: Unknown
Source: Eastern Streamers, Dick Frost, 1979, pg. 6

Gary's Version
Hook: Mustad L87 #4
Thread: Black
Tail: Red floss
Body: Silver flat tinsel
Rib: Silver oval tinsel
Wing: White bucktail under pearl flashabou under blue bucktail under black crystal flash
Head: Black

Loretta's Version
Hook: Mustad 3907A #2
Thread: Black
Tail: Red wool
Body: Silver embossed tinsel
Throat: White bucktail
Wing: White bucktail under blue bucktail under peacock herl
Head: Black with a purple band

Notes: The Blue Smelt is an imitative pattern that has been used to lure land locked salmon and trout out of the Rangeley region lakes for decades. The pattern is a regional staple and has migrated out to the Canadian Maritimes in the form of an Atlantic salmon fly. The earliest versions of the fly used a red goose or duck quill and were tied with gold bodies. The streamer was designed as an early season lure to be fished at ice out while the smelt populations are seeking out spawning grounds. Smaller streamers tied in sizes 6-10 are great for casting off shore into coves and inlets during low light. Larger sized flies, #4 and up, provide an opportunity to troll the deeper waters, following the shore lines and other structure in the lakes.