The Childers

The Childers is one of the very old classics which is said to have fished well throughout the British Isles.  Colonel Childers, the originator of the fly, often fished the Childers without a topping over the wing but confessed that he always put one on if he could get hold of the feather.  I have tied this particular fly without the use of a topping.  This fly is the first one that I have tied “in hand” without the use of a vise.  This is the traditional way of classic salmon fly tying, and I tried to tie this one with a “fishing fly” in mind.

Tag: Silver twist and gold floss
Tail: A topping and strands of pintail
Ribbing: flat gold embossed tinsel
Body: yellow, light red, and claret seal fur
Hackle: claret rooster hackle
Throat: gallina dyed blue
Wings: golden pheasant, bustard, turkey dyed yellow and orange, bronze mallard over the top
Sides: vulturine guinea fowl

* When original feathers are not available, substitutes have been used.