The Carey Special was named after its creator Colonel Carey.
It is a very simple, yet very effective, wet fly. It can be used to imitate numerous insects including bloodworms and caddis pupa when tied in appropriate sizes and colours. I always have a few in my box, and they work well as a fall-back pattern when others aren’t producing as they should.
Hook: Mustad 9672 3X long #10 to #14
Thread: Black monocord, or to match body colour Tail: None
Body: Chenille of appropriate insect body colours Rib: None
Beard: None
Wing: None
Hackle: Shank-length pheasant rump
TYING STEPS
- Wrap on tying thread at the eye of the hook. Wind down to the butt.
- Secure the chenille in place. Wrap the thread back to the head of the fly.
- Wrap the chenille forward, making an even body, and tie off.
- Tie in a pheasant rump feather, tip first, and wrap to form a long hackle.Make sure the feather fibres are hook shank length or a bit longer and tie it sparse; two or three wraps is good enough. Tie down the feather butt and trim excess.
- Whip finish the head and cement.
