This week’s Throw Back Thursday Fly is Galloup’s Compara Spinner.
I stayed at Galloup’s Slide Inn on the Madison River during our 2017 fly fishing road trip and I thought it appropriate to feature a few of Kelly’s flies for my Throw Back Thursday Fly feature. I spent some time with him at the shop taking photos of a few of his famous flies and hearing stories of them as well.
As we talked about Galloup’s Compara Spinner, he told me of changes to the fly since it was published in his Cripples and Spinners (2001) book. Here is a picture of the fly he tied for me as he explained a few tying details.
And here is the bottom view.
You’ll notice he prefers the use of deer hair for the wing, which he believes aids in flotation. In addition, he adds several deer fibers in the tail which he says doesn’t affect the fish from eating the fly.
If you like Kelly’s flies, here are a few other Throw Back Thursday Flies I’ve featured: Galloup’s Zoo Cougar, Galloup’s T & A Leech, Troutsman Hex, Circus Peanut Articulated Streamer.
In addition to his Cripples and Spinners (2001) book, Kelly is co-author with Bob Linsenman of Modern Streamers for Trophy Trout (2004).
Kelly is a stickler for detail and has developed a well-earned reputation for quality flies. He is known for his streamers and If you are a streamer fly fisher, be sure to purchase some of his flies at Galloup’s Slide Inn.
| Materials | |
| Hook: | TMC 100 or 101 #12 – 24 |
| Thread: | Danville 6/0 or 8/0 Uni-Thread on smaller sizes |
| Abdomen: | Superfine dubbing or thread on #18 and smaller |
| Front Wing: | Hi-Vis, White or light dun, tied compara dun style |
| Second Wing: | Hi-Vis, same color as front wing, but tied behind front wing and placed across the hook, spent style |
| Thorax: | Superfine dubbing, color to match natural’s thorax |
Source: Cripples & Spinners by Kelly Galloup (2001)
Enjoy…go fish!
