Platte River Special - (bead head)
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Platte River Special - (bead head)
Hook: Mustad 79580 # 10 - #2
Thread: 6/0 waxed, black
Tail: Yellow hackle tip
Body: Medium or Large flat gold tinsel
Wing: 2 Brown saddle hackle over 2 Yellow saddle hackles (( ))
Hackle: Brown saddle hackle or hen hackle
The Platte River Special is a regional fly pattern, the sort of fly that is very familiar to the fisherman that uses it and have great faith in it. This is a southern Wyoming fly, (Maybe into Northern Colorado as well) The only fly tying book I have found this pattern in is a small book titled Flies of Southern Wyoming. It is listed as well as several variations. It is shown here as the regular tie, with the exception of the addition of the bead. I love to tie this fly as a bead head; the extra weight gives a good up & down motion while stripping the fly in.
Another really good variation is to use red front hackle, also known as the Platte River Red. You know, this is a very good reason to tie your own flies. Regional flies can’t be ordered from the big off shore (out of country) outfits, they come from the place they are used, the Rivers & Lakes where they work best. Keep tying.
To tie:
Start thread at mid-shank, tie in a yellow hackle tip – about ½ shank length, for the tail. Tie in gold flat tinsel, wrap forward tightly for the body. Match 2 yellow hackles, concave sides together. Over this match 2 brown hackles, also concave sides in to create the overwing. Secure the wing, keeping them vertical. Tie in and wrap a brown hackle at the front. Whip finish.
See you next time. Julie