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Gray Ghost

4K views 32 replies 15 participants last post by  gt05254 
#1 ·
This is my favorite fly for landlocked salmon. I use it at least once everytime I fish for them.

I tied mine with 4 gray hackles. In Bates' book, "Streamer Fly Tying & Fishing",the original calls for 4 olive-gray hackles. In a letter, Mrs. Carrie G. Stevens writes, "...a fly with gray wings..." . I don't know which is the original. Maybe Gary, or Dave can answer this?
The fly is also usually tied on a Carrie Stevens type hook, but I usually use a tiemco 765 or daichii 2271 which I really like. This one is on an AJ.
Thanks for looking.

 
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#3 · (Edited)
gorgeous

That's a great looking ghost! A fishing friend, Bob Hilyard, wrote the book, literally, on Carrie Stevens ("Carrie Stevens" published by Stackpole). He tells me that the wing color varied quite a bit...she wasn't always able to procure a consistent color neck. I've been lucky to have handled/seen/ogled quite a few ghosts she tied; there is a lot of variation in the wing color.

That's just a great, great casting fly you've tied there, John!

And a thought....look up her Green Beauty fly and tie up a few of those. Its a great fly in the Rangeley area, both cast and trolled. I do better with it than the gray ghost.

Gary
 
#5 ·
Thanks Gary. I knew you had some sort of an answer! Always cool to know the history of the flies you fish with.
Yes it is a casting fly. I really like them on the tmc 765 or dai 2271 as a casting fly.
Thanks for the tip about the Beauty. Although I have one in my box, I never seem to tie it on. Old habit of sticking with what works because of limited time on the water doesn't always give us the opportunity to try different things.
I will definately give one a swing next season on the Saranac!
 
#8 ·
less than traditional

I've switched a lot of my streamers from natural accutrements to flashier stuff. This casting gray ghost has krystal flash in place of peacock herl and UV Minnow Belly in place of the deer hair. I've pretty much quit using the golden pheasant crest. They work in spite of my nontraditional approach. Although I do still tie the traditional style and enjoy fishing them as well.
 

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#9 ·
I too use alot of flashy stuff. This is one of my go tos.It is a little raggy. I Like the TMC 9394 for this style of fly. I add a strip of lead or any sub(where legal) to a third of the shank closest to the eye. This is not for weight, but to eliminate hook hang down. I sometimes use the patent method, so I like my streamer to hover or sink as a natural minnow would. not ass down. This fly is tied with 4 strands each of yellow,blue, red, purple deer or polar bear & crystal flash as a wing. It is a great comeback fly.




Back to Gray ghosts, This is another I like for Landlocks. I know its not really a ghost, but the colors work great.

 
#19 ·
Well, lets give credit where its due. Nb Rob's Silver doctor thread sparked the fire & it was Hardyreels who poured gas on it.

I too love this direction. I like to see the little variations people use to adapt to their waters like Gary's Ghost. If you stand far enough, it really looks like a smelt. Or Wild Bill's double cheeked version.Cool!
 
#21 ·
glue up

Yes, I do glue them up in sets first. I find it easier to tie the assembly in on the upper side of the head this way. Some people like to tie everything in on top of the hook, and that's fine, too (the old "your hook your rules" thingy). Carrie Stevens glued her wing assemblies up first, and attached them to the upper side, as opposed to the top, of the hook.
Green Beauty wing assemblies ready for the bench. I package them for myself so they don't get wrecked in my usual mess, too:
 

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