by Rich Johnson DECEMBER'S FLY: ALASKA MARY ANN To mark the 1 year anniversary of Fly of the Month, Rich Johnson decided to include the Alaska Mary Ann. This is the official fly of the Alaska Flyfishers. It was patterned after an Eskimo lure called the "Kobuk Hook", a jig used in the Kotzebue region in Northwestern Alaska.
	Thread: 6/0 Black Hook: Streamer or UTE Salmon Tail: Red Hackle Fibers Rib: Flat Tinsel, Silver Body: Ivory Floss white is often substituted, as is yarn or chenille Wing: White Polar Bear (Calf Tail or Goat) Cheek: Jungle Cock Nails
	The hook used here is a Partridge CS17. 6XL streamer with a looped eye, size 6. Bind the loop closed, then spiral the thread to the rear binding down the tail.
	Attach the tinsel on the far side of the hook with the silver side to the shank by wrapping the thread forward. The first wrap will turn the silver out and start the wraps on the bottom of the shank.
	Attach the floss on the bottom of the shank with a few firm wraps, halfhitch twice to secure. (Two strand floss usually works better than four strand.)
	Wrap to the rear then forward to create a tapered body. (This fly was double wrapped twice to create a thicker body with more taper.) Tie off and trim.
	Spiral the tinsel forward with even wraps. Try to get the tinsel to finish the last wrap under the shank. Tie off and create a smooth base for the wing.
	Measure and tie in the wing. I prefer to leave some underfur in the base to create bulk and flutter in the wing. (Because legal polar bear is very rare, most tyers substitute goat, calf tail or bucktail. All work well.)
	Tie in a jungle cock nail for a cheek on both sides. Cheeks should be about 1/3 the length of the wing and positioned above the body at an angle.
	Trim the jungle cock stems, build a tapered headk and whip finish. Apply a coat or two of head cement. This fly also looks good on a UTE hook as a steelhead/salmon pattern.
Previous Flies November: Niukluk Smolt October: Sea Flea September: Frank's Fly August: Sparkle Shrimp July: Flashfly June: Comet May: Everglow April: Battle Creek Special March: Pearl Marabou Smolt February: Crystal Egg Wooly Bugger January: Tangle Lakes Teaser December 1997: Bead-Head Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle
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Send comments or questions regarding the Fly of the Month to Rich Johnson Photos and text by Rich Johnson, used by permission. Copyright © 1998, All Rights Reserved.