This week’s Throw Back Thursday Fly is the Peacock Despair.
I didn’t know about this fly until a potential customer brought it to my attention.
Jack Sutton, a Canadian fly tyer, developed this fly in the 1930’s. The Peacock Despair was a popular fly for large brook trout in eastern Canada, Quebec and Labrador.
It was originally tied to imitate a stonefly nymph, but is also used to imitate dragon fly larva and sedge pupas.
Sutton worked in the fishing tackle department at the Simpsons store in downtown Toronto.
He was a great fly fisherman, fly tier, rod builder and salesman. In addition, he was also one of the best tournament casters in Canada.
Here is a view from the bottom of the fly.
I came across an online article written by Gord Deval, a Canadian as well. It was my source to tie the fly.
Peacock Despair
Hook:
Daiichi 1720 #10
Thread:
Black Danville, 70 denier
Tag & Rib:
Crimson floss
Body:
Peacock herl, 4 strands
Wing:
Hungarian Partridge, 2 feathers
Hackle:
Badger
Enjoy…go fish!
I use this fly for Brook Trout, and it is very effective, trolled slowly with an intermediate, clear, Stillwater line! I also use bright red, fine, wire for the tag and ribbing, as opposed to floss.
I also tie in 2 pairs of knotted pheasant tail legs, as recommended by Gord Deval in his book! Wire rib makes this much easier to work around the legs.