This week’s Throw Back Thursday Fly is the Brassie. 

Here is an old Brassie fly I tied several year’s ago. I tried to tie a size 20 on a size 18 hook. This technique is used when wanting a larger gape for more hooking power, especially in the smaller hook sizes.

Brassie | www.johnkreft.com

The fly was attributed to Ken Chandler, Gene Lynch, and Tug Davenport who developed it in the 1960’s on Colorado’s South Platte River. I read a story about them fishing tattered flies where the copper underbody, which was used for weight, began to show through and they still caught fish. The rest is history. Another great fly pattern from Colorado’s fly tiers.

I haven’t used it in recent years. I might have to give it a try as a midge imitation or perhaps for a small BWO nymph.

Enjoy…go fish!

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4 Comments

    1. Jimbo

      Thanks for your comment. I’ve done exactly what you suggested in order to get a larger hook gape on some flies. I don’t think the fish care.

      John

  1. John,
    When I first started fly fishing around 2002, I caught many a trout on the Deschutes with this very fly as the 2nd dropper. Still carry them to the river, you never know when it will do just the trick.
    Sherry

  2. Hi John,
    Back in the 80’s & 90’s when I was guiding the Bighorn and many other Montana rivers the Brassie was a go-to pattern. I think John Barr’s Copper John (similar tie) has taken its place in the popularity polls. That doesn’t mean it’s not a great pattern but like a lot of flies in time it has fallen out of favor. Another one of those out-of-favor flies that comes to mind is the Helgramite that was popular in the 70’s and early 80’s. Take care & …
    Tight Lines – (Gretchen &) Al Beatty
    Longtime Fly Fishers

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