Fly of the Month

June 2000

by Rich Johnson

Fred the Red

Notes: This is a local pattern devised and made famous by Mike Hershberger. Mike passed away a few years ago but his legacy lives on. Mike was instrumental in the formation of the Alaska Flyfishers in 1973 and is considered to be the father of our annual Spring (fly fishing) Seminar, now in its 26th year. He was he owner/operator of The "Rod & Reel" Shop and continued to influence local and statewide fly fishing up until his death. Fred the Red is a favorite when targeting our sockeye salmon in June and July. It satisfies all the requirements of a good sockeye fly; easy to tie, cheap materials, effective.

Previous Flies

May 2000 Prince Nymph
April 2000: Dahlberg Diver
March 2000: Super Prawn!
Febuary 2000: Midge Larva/Pupa
January 2000: Scud
December 1999: Sockeye Fry
November 1999: Not available
October 1999: Pin Head Muddler
September 1999: Signal Light
August 1999: Pink Pollywog
July 1999 : Leonard Shrimp
June 1999 : Delong Lake Special (parachute)
May 1999 : Beady-eye Nymph

April 1999 : General Practitioner
March 1999 : Sculpin (woolhead bunny)
February 1999 : Popsicle
January 1999 : Nuclic Bunny
December 1998: Alaska Mary Ann
November 1998: Niukluk Smolt
October 1998: Sea Flea
September 1998: Frank's Fly
August 1998: Sparkle Shrimp
July 1998: Flashfly
June 1998: Comet
May 1998: Everglow
April 1998: Battle Creek Special
March 1998: Pearl Marabou Smolt
February 1998: Crystal Egg Wooly Bugger
January 1998 : Tangle Lakes Teaser
December 1997: Bead-Head Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle


June 2000 by Rich Johnson Fred the Red Notes: This is a local pattern devised and made famous by Mike Hershberger. Mike passed away a few years ago but his legacy lives on. Mike was instrumental in the formation of the Alaska Flyfishers in 1973 and is considered to be the father of our annual Spring (fly fishing) Seminar, now in its 26th year. He was he owner/operator of The "Rod & Reel" Shop and continued to influence local and statewide fly fishing up until his death. Fred the Red is a favorite when targeting our sockeye salmon in June and July. It satisfies all the requirements of a good sockeye fly; easy to tie, cheap materials, effective.
	Hook: Eagle Claw 1157B #4 - #6 Weight: .030 lead Thread: 6/0 Black Body: Sparkle Chenille, Brown Legs: Ringneck Tail Fibers Head: Peacock Herl
	1) The 1157 is an Eagle Claw exclusive, there are a few other hooks that will work but I've never seen a direct substitute. Lead the shank from the hook point to an eye width plus behind the eye.
	2) Secure the lead with thread wraps and tie in a piece of brown sparkle chenille. (This is the stuff with tinsel wrapped into the core, creating just a little flash.)
	3) Place one wrap behind the lead and two on top of the lead. Secure the chenille with three tight wraps, trapping the chenille on the near side of the shank. Place all three wraps on top of one another to keep the chenille in place while you complete the next step.
	4) Cut several fibers off of the center tail from a ringneck pheasant. Align the tips so that they are fairly even before cutting. Tie the fibers on the bottom of the shank with the tips facing rearward. Tie them in tight against the chenille so that they point downward to the hook point. Wrap forward a short distance securing the fiber butts as you go.
	5) Wrap the chenille forward two more wraps and place another bundle of legs on the bottom of the shank.
	6) Repeat the chenille and legs again. After this third set of legs place a wrap or two (depending on space available) in front of the legs and tie off. Trim excess chenille.
	7) Tie in five or six strands of peacock herl by their tips and create a dubbing loop with your thread.
	8) Bring the herl into the dubbing loop, twist, and wrap a turn or two at the front of the body. Tie off and clip excess.
	9) Whip finish a neat head and cement. Meet "Fred the Red", fish him low and slow. Thanks Mike.