Dean River Red Lantern Genesis
Gentlemen:
Many thanks to all who have contributed to this thread and furnished me with the references in printed form. There it was, right under my nose in Trey Combs' "Steelhead Fly Fishing" tome. Trey writes that Bob Wagoner said that Dr. Art Cohen of San Francisco discovered that using Edge Bright wrapped over silver tinsel produces the "lantern" glow instead of winding monofilament over a hot floss body that covered a tinsel body.
As an aside, I purchased the "lantern" three years ago at a fly shop on the American River in Sacramento, CA. Since then, I've had success using the fly for Steelhead, Chinooks, and at times resident Rainbow Trout on the American, Feather, Yuba, Mad, Eel, Smith, Trinity, and upper Klamath river systems. During the forthcoming December/January timeframe, I'm planning a trip to fish some of the northern CA coastal rivers (Russian, Gualala, Garcia, etc.) from Healdsburg and on up to Mendocino before I fish my favorite, the Smith.
I'm certainly appreciative that this thread has sparked some interest in this fly. As for myself, I just have a lot of confidence in using the "lantern." It has always worked for me and it's my initial offering, regardless of what others may be recommending or using at the time!
Regards,
Richard