New & Improved Version of a Great Old Fly

The MacIntosh dry fly, in its many variations, has long been a favourite dry fly for salmon fishing throughout Nova Scotia. This week’s fly is the Golden MacIntosh, long a St. Mary’s River favourite. We’ll also take advantage of new products to tie a better, more durable fly.

Thread – GSP (Gel Spun Polypropylene) has about twice the strength of Kevlar, so very fine GSP (50 Denier – about 8/0) can be used to make a tighter, stronger, and neater fly.

Hook - The largest Mustad 94840 hooks now available are size 4, so this hook model is now useful only for small salmon dry flies, unless you have some of the larger 94840s from the good ole`days. Fortunately, the Partridge CS42, the Bomber Hook, is a better hook with its light fine wire, down loop eye, and longer shank. This longer shank prevents the wing from being fouled by the hook bend, as sometimes occurred with the Mustad hook.

Tag & Rib – We`re using Lagartun Holographic Flatbraid, a braided Mylar tinsel that is stronger and lighter than metallic tinsels, and it won`t rust or tarnish.

Tail & Body – Poypropylene, which used to be sold as Phentex yarn, floats in water and is much lighter than other water-absorbing materials such as wool or floss for dry flies.

Wing – Pine squirrel tail still rules!

Hackle – Recently developed Metz Magnum Saddles have feathers long and wide enough for hackling large salmon dry flies like MacIntoshes, Bombers, and Wulffs.  Feathers are very long, so one feather will hackle most salmon dry flies. Dyed colors of this hackle, such as orange and golden yellow, are spectacular. In past we used yellow dye mixed with a little orange to produce this golden yellow color, now Metz does it all.

Head – We`ll use double whip finish knots of ultra strong GSP thread, finished with 2 coats
of Angler`s Corner Wet Head Cement, to complete the fly with a head that is practically indestructible.

In summary, here are the specifications for a new and improved version of a great old fly.

Golden MacIntosh

Thread:                      UTC G.S.P. 50 Denier black thread

Hook:                          Salmon dry fly hook, such as Mustad 94840 or Partridge Bomber hook, size 2 - 10

Tag:                            Gold Holographic Flatbraid

Tail:                             Black polypropylene (Phentex)

Rib:                             Gold Holographic Flatbraid

Body:                          Black polypropylene (Phentex)

Wing:                          Pine Squirrel tail

Hackle:                       A Deep Golden Yellow Metz Magnum Saddle Hackle Feather

Head:                         Black thread finished with 2 coats Angler’s Corner Wet Head Cement