Grey Ghost Streamer Explained

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Type:Streamer
Imitates:Baitfish, Smelt
Creator:Carrie G. Stevens
Created:1924
Sizes:2-4
Thread:Black 6/0
Tail:None
Body:Orange floss
Wing:Golden pheasant crest, four gray hackles of equal length
Ribbing:Flat silver tinsel
Tag:Flat silver tinsel
Shoulder:Silver pheasant body feather
Cheek:Jungle cock
Use1:Trout
Ref:Carrie G. Stevens-Maker of Rangeley Favorite Trout and Salmon Flies (2000), Hilyard[1]

The Grey Ghost Streamer is an artificial fly, of the streamer type. Its primary function is to imitate smelt. The streamer's wing gives it a swimming action while trolling or using the Dead Drift technique.

The pattern is widespread and is popular along the Northeast of the United States. Many variations of the streamer occur, mostly to cut down on cost and tying time.[2]

Origin

The streamer was first tied in 1924 by commercial fly tyer Carrie G. Stevens of Madison, Maine. She was the wife of Maine fishing guide, Wallace Stevens. She tied many other flies in a style known as the Rangeley style during her free time. Most of her streamers have the jungle cock cheeks in common. The streamer is regarded as one of her best creations.[3] The pattern is mostly used for trout, of which it is successfully fished. When Stevens tested it at the Upper Dam pool she quickly hooked a 6 pound 13 ounce brook trout, which secured her second prize a Field & Stream competition. Afterwards she became even more involved with fly tying.

Materials

Tag- flat silver tinsel

Body- orange floss

Ribbing- flat silver tinsel

Belly Wing- white bucktail, golden pheasant crest, peacock herl

Wing- olive-grey saddle hackle, golden pheasant crest

Shoulder- white and black striped body feather from silver pheasant

Cheeks- jungle cock

Notes and References

  1. Book: Carrie G. Stevens-Maker of Rangeley Favorite Trout and Salmon Flies . Hilyard, Graydon R. . Leslie K. . Stackpole Books . Mechanicsburg, PA . 2000 . 0811703533 . 134.
  2. Book: The Complete Book of Trout Flyfishing . 1995 . Chartwell Books.
  3. Book: Valla, Mike . The Founding Flies-43 American Masters Their Patterns and Influences . Stackpole Books . Mechanicsburg, PA . 2013 . 9780811708333 . Carrie Stevens (1882-1970) . 126–134.