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The flies I used in Iraq were not complex patterns or anything different from warm water patterns used an where in North America. I had a handful that I always relied on and they are what I gave to the students. I had lots of support from tyers back in the states wanting to support the school and this was the list I would give them. Plenty of other patterns worked, but what I am including in this chapter are the staples that worked. Three are my own creations, inspired and tied in Iraq – the Pheasant Butt, Blue Dragon and the Baggie Shrimp.
Hook 2x long heavy wire size 6-10 Straight eye Thread Black 3/0 mono Tail Soft fluff from a ringneck pheasant rump feather Body Peacock herl Hackle Ringneck pheasant rump feather tied back Head Dull bronze or black bead-chain eyes
Pheasant Butt *
Notes: This fly is meant to be tied full and pulse in the water to simulate a leech. It can be tied bend-back style, by bending the hook shank up 30 degrees, 1/3 the length behind the eye. Hook Standard dry fly hook sizes 8-10 Thread Black 6/0 mono Tail Blue or olive bucktail continued from the body, tied around wire or monofilliment Body Blue or olive bucktail folded and tied down with criss crossed thread to form a long thin body Hackle Six fibers of black moose hair, three pointing right, three pointing left Wing Four grizzly hackle tips, two pointing right, two pointing left Thorax Blue or olive dubbing Head 40lb monofilament melted into eyes Notes: This is not an extremely durable fly, but since asp do not have teeth, it held up remarkably well. The tail, which is simply an extension of the body beyond the bend of the hook, should be about one and a half times the length of the hook shank. The bucktail is wrapped with thread to segment the body and can be stiffened with a piece of monofilament running through the center. Hook Heavy wire sizes 10-14, straight eye, bent back Thread tan 3/0 mono Tail Ginger hackle fibres Underbody Fine lead wire Body Tan poly yarn covered on top with a strip from a plastic sandwich bag. Hackle Ginger hackle Thorax Tan poly yarn covered on top with a strip from a plastic sandwich bag Antenna Ginger hackle stems Head Bead-chain eyes Notes: This fly is tied backwards, in that the antenna and eyes are tied in at the bend of the hook. Additionally, the hook must have a straight eye and the shank should be bent away from the point at a 30 degree angle, 2/3 of the way between the bend and the eye. The plastic sandwich bag strip should be tied over the tail, then pulled over the body and secured with the ribbing which will make it appear sectioned. After the thorax and hackle are applied, again pull the plastic strip over the thorax and tie off behind the eyes. This makes the back smooth and pushes the hackle under like the legs of a shrimp. Hook 2x long heavy wire size 6-10 Thread White 3/0 mono Tail White Marabou Body White Yarn, with one strip of lead wire Hackle White saddle hackle, palmered from rear to front. Head White plastic bead or bead chain eyes Notes: A Gary LaFontaine creation, it was sent to me while I was in Iraq by the ladies at The Book Mailer, in Helena, MT. Tie the lead wire on only one side of the hook, this will cause the fly to swim in a very erratic pattern that fish couldn’t resist. Hook 2x long heavy wire size 6-10 Thread Black or olive 3/0 mono Tail None Body Flat silver or holographic tinsel Hackle None UnderWing White marabou Wing 3-4 peacock herls Head Silver bead-chain eyes Notes: This fly can be tied with a strip of lead wire on one side of the hook to increase action – my own twist from seeing the Drunken Sailor. Hook 2x long heavy wire size 6-10 with a straight eye Thread Black or olive 3/0 mono Tail None Body Flat silver or holographic tinsel (optional) Hackle None Top Wing Black, grey, red or chartreuse bucktail Bottom Wing White bucktail Head Silver bead-chain or lead eyes Notes: A great pattern from Bob Clouser designed for Pennsylvania smallmouths, this fly worked very well on asp. The lakes in Iraq were not deep enough to require lead eyes, but beadchain worked very well. With the point riding up, this was a great fly to bounce across an open flat along a weedline. Hook 2x long heavy wire size 6-10 Thread Black or olive 3/0 mono Tail Maribou to match body Body Medium chenille black or olive Hackle Black or Olive grizzly saddle hackle to match body, tied in hackle tip first and wrapped back to front Head Thread (bead-chain eyes or cone can be added) Notes: Likely one of the most popular wet flies in existence, it is versatile, simple and durable. This fly can be tied weighted or unweighted. From brown trout in Montana to mangar in Iraq, it is deadly. Hook 2x long heavy wire size 6-10 Thread Black or olive 3/0 mono Tail None Body Medium chenille black or olive Hackle Brown, black or grizzly saddle hackle palmered back to front Head Thread (bead-chain eyes can be added) Notes: The basic fly of flies, simple is good. This fly can be tied weighted or unweighted Hook 2x long heavy wire size 6-10 Thread Black or olive 3/0 mono Tail Forked rubber (black, white or olive) Legs Three sets of rubber legs (black, white or olive) tied perpendicular to the hook shank evenly distributed along the length of the hook. Body Medium chenille black or olive Hackle Brown, black or olive saddle hackle palmered back to front Head Thread or bead-chain eyes Notes: A cross between two simple fly patterns, the Wooly Worm and the Girdle Bug, this fly is my all time favorite wet fly. It can be tied weighted or unweighted and with or without bead chain eyes. Hook 2x long heavy wire size 6-10 Thread Black 3/0 mono Tail Short black marabou fibers Body Peacock herl Ribbing Fine copper wire Hackle soft grey fluff from the base of a hackle feather tied behind eyes Head Black bead-chain or tungsten eyes Notes: This fly can be tied weighted or unweighted Hook Standard dry fly hook sizes 10-18 Thread Grey 6/0 mono Tail Hare’s mask guard hair Body Hare’s mask guard hairs and underfur dubbing Hackle Soft brown hackle fibers tied in as a throat Head Thread or small brass bead Notes: This fly can be weighted or unweighted. Additionally it can be tied with a brass bead head Hook Standard dry fly hook sizes 10-18 Thread Tan 6/0 mono Tail Elk flank hairs Body Tan poly dubbing Hackle Stiff ginger, palmered back to front Wing Elk flank hairs Head Clipped elk hair butts from wing Notes: Invented by Al Troth in Ennis, Montana, this is likely one of the most popular western dry flies ever created – and it works in Iraq too. Hook Standard dry fly hook sizes 10-18 Thread Tan 6/0 mono Tail None Body Tan poly yarn Hackle None Wing Tan poly yarn – form a loop Head Thread Notes: Pick out fibers from the yarn to represent the emerging legs. Tie this fly sparse Hook Upturned eye midge hook 12-18 Thread White 6/0 mono Tail None Body White closed cell foam Hackle None Wing None Head Thread Notes: This fly is supposed to look like a piece of bread. Cut the foam to shape and secure it to the hook. Ragged edges on the foam make it appear more realistic. Be careful not to block the gape or the hook will not set in the fish. I have seen a similar style used with yellow foam to represent corn and tan used to represent fish pellets. Hook Standard Dry Fly Hook 6-18 Thread White 6/0 mono Tail None Body Stiff white hackle wrapped thick – trimmed flat top and bottom Hackle Stiff tan hackle wrapped sparse – trimmed flat top and bottom Wing None Head Thread Notes: This fly is supposed to look like a piece of bread. While I call it a midge – it can be tied up to size 6. Wrap the hackle for the body thickly. The front hackle is to look like crust – a couple turns on the front of the fly will suffice. Trim the fly flat to make it look like a piece of bread floating in the surface film. This fly works well by allowing it to sink slowly, just like bread. Hook Size 6 plastic worm hook Thread Black 3/0 mono Tail Silver Flashabou Body Pink Sparkle Chenille Hackle Soft Black Wing None Head Thread Hook Size 10 Tiemco 200R Thread Black 6/0 mono Tail Amber Grizzly Marabou tail Body Hook shank wrapped with .015 lead wire from even with hook point to behind eyes. Body of Awesome Possum dubbing, burnt orange and Natural Brown or Light Ginger (light tan) mixed together. Copper rib / "Brassie" sized wire. Hackle None Wing None Head Small, black bead-chain eyes
* Created by Joel Stewart in Iraq 
Baghdad Time & Temp Copyright © 2008 by Baghdad Anglers Club and School of Fly Fishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Revised: 04/22/10
