Don's Shuswap Fry Fly
SUBMITTED BY: Andy King


Fly Tied and Photo taken by Andy King

The Fry Fly was developed in the early 1990's by Don Sundberg of Sicamous, British Columbia.

The pattern evolved to imitate the salmon fry and smolt that emerge in spring from the rivers that drain into Shuswap Lake. Tied on a size 2 hook the pattern closely resembles a Coho smolt in size and color. With variations in size and color, it has turned out to be an all season fly as of course there are minnows of one species or another in the lake at all times of the year.

 

 Hook

  Hook: Mustad 9672 size 2 or 4

 Thread

 Black 3/0 Thread and finished with Hard as Nails

 Body

 Body: Medium Tinsel Chenille or Ice Chenille

 Hackle/Wing

 3 or 4 strands Krystal Flash
 Overwing:  Mallard Flank, 3 each side
 Eyes:  2mm Silver, Gold or Yellow Prismatic Eyes
 Gills:  Fl. Red Antron Body Wool
 

  1. Tie on thread and wind forward over the shank of the hook, leave approx. 1 cm head space.

  2. Tie in Ice Chenille and wrap around shank, once again leaving ample head space.

  3. Run a flame quickly over the sides of the chenille just to heat it a bit and using your fingers flatten the sides.

  4. Tie the Krystal Flash in at the head, strands should extend over the back and past the curve of the hook.

  5. Tie in the matching mallard flank feathers, one pair at a time.

  6. Build up the head with thread to form a nice oval shape.

  7. Apply the stick on eyes

  8. Coat the head with Hard as Nails and rotate a couple of minutes until set, repeat with a second coat of the nail polish.

  9. Before fishing the fly it is a good idea to thoroughly wet it down and shape the mallard flank to remove any curl from the feathers and prevent spin when retrieving it.


Don uses a variety of materials for the underbody, but does like Ice Chenille the best. He suggests a yellow or chartreuse color in the spring, change to a dark green or blue in mid summer and use a claret color in the autumn. The gold or silver underbody imitates the coarse fish minnows which are also a major food source for the rainbows.

The fly can be cast or trolled. In either case it is important to remember to give it lots of action. Short quick strips on the retrieve or in the case of trolling, vary the presentation by pulling a few yards of line in then letting it back out so that the fly will dead drift for a few seconds.
 This pattern has proven to be an extremely effective fly when used in waters where small fish form a basic staple of the trout diet.

Try it in Shuswap Lake in the spring, not too deep, give it lots of action, then hang on.......the strike will be hard and aggressive!