Haig-Brown’s Steelhead Bee
Originally Printed June/July 1969 Salmon Trout Steelheader
What western angler doesn't know of this fly's originator? Roderick Haig-Brown of Campbell River, British Columbia, is our finest and most prolific writer on anadromous trout fishing. Even this accolade seems unfairly containing, for his influence is felt to his native England where he was born 60 years ago. He first traveled here when 17 to work in Washington and British Columbia lumber camps. And here he developed an affection for this new land that brought him back to stay in 1931. Mr. Haig-Brown's search for a permanent home led him to the Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Along this most famous of western salmon rivers he farmed, raised a family, and pursued a brilliant writing career.
He has combined the traditional bamboo and silk with inherent British conservatism and examined our game fish accordingly. How they fared is basically the subject of his many books, classics practically upon their initial publication. His first important work was the two-volume Western Angler (1939) then, as now, an unparalleled tome on all facets of British Columbia fish and fishing. The lessons he learned, so wonderfully set forth in this book, readily applied to America all along our western coast. It became a domestic favorite following its reduction to a single volume, less limited printing, in 1946. Mr. Haig-Brown's many other works include: Return To The River, Starbuck Valley Winter, Fisherman’s Spring, Fisherman’s Summer, Timber, Fisherman’s Fall, River Never Sleeps
The Steelhead Bee employs the better floating qualities of fur to advantage. Wings are set so far forward they help maintain surface tension. The long bushy tail and fat body further support the fly. But it is not a high-riding pattern. Rather, the Bee spreads itself on and in the surface film. The summer-run steelhead it is intended for are better able to see it in this position. Perhaps more importantly, the design lends itself to a more positive hookup than tightly hackled spiders or bivisibles.
The dressing is tied "rough," yet still maintains a semblance of realism. No effort is made to strictly imitate, though, as its name implies, it does suggest a bee or yellow jacket.
Mr. Haig-Brown uses the fly in sizes 6-12, with 8 's most commonly preferred. It is one of the very few dry flies specifically designed for steelhead.
Type: Dry Fly: (Tier: Roderick Haig Brown) - Dressing-Tail: Fox squirrel slightly longer than the hook shank - Body: Divided into three equal parts of brown-yellow-brown floss or like colored dubbing - Wings: Fox squirrel, long and well divided. Wings are set forward at a 45-degree angle - Hackle: Natural red (fiery brown}, sparse
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