From the tying bench of Josh “Gelly” Gelinas comes a great early, mid-season Char fly – and it’s not too shabby when it comes to Lake Trout either.
Hook: Size 4-2 Streamer 2XL
Thread: 8/0 Black Uni
Bead: Tungsten Cone
Legs: Rubber legs
Collar: Buck belly hair spun and trimmed
Body: White Peacock Pearlescent Chenille
Hackle: Brown Saddle Hackle
Tail: White Marabou
Flash: Gold or Pearlescent Flashabou
A very famous pattern originating on the famous river that runs through Calgary, Alberta.
This version is tied typically larger then you’d normally see them, and is my #1 Laker fly, and one hell of a Char fly.
My very first day on Great Bear Lake back in 2014, I used this fly right off the dock at the main lodge and my very first cast ever on the lake I managed to hook at land a 22lb Lake Trout, which at the time was much bigger than anything I’d caught before.
Since then, if my guest is a fly fisherman, I have an arsenal of these ready.
Many different approaches work.
Trolling with a DI 7 line and using a 6 ft., 20lb test leader. Or sight casting with a DI 3-5 and stripping with both hands and rod butt in the armpit.
For Char use this early- mid season with a sink tip in any water and it should provoke a hungry fish.
