Christmas Tree
By Carlo Ng
Christmas Tree is a streamer fly that Pacific Northwest anglers commonly use for fall salmon species, including coho and chum salmon. Its simplicity makes it less intimidating for entry-level fly tiers who wish to practice their tying skills and still catch fish. A floating line is often sufficient enough for this bead-headed fly to reach the strike zone when fishing in runs where moderate flow exists.
Materials
| Hook: | #10-6 Wet fly streamer for example Tiemco 200R, 3761, 3769, 5262 |
| Thread: | 6/0 Uni-thread, your choice of colour, my favourite is flame orange |
| Bead: | 1/8-5/32, depending on size of hook |
| Wing: | Flashabou, favourite colours are a mixture of blue, green, silver |
Tying Steps
- Start with a short base of thread behind the bead.
- Cut a bunch of flashabou aruond 2-3 inches long.
- Position it on the shank so that 1/2 of the length is behind the bead.
- Secure it to the hook shank with a few wraps of the thread.
- Fold the flashabou back and wind the thread onto the folded flashabou.
- Use another bundle of flashabou and repeat step 2 to 5.
- Build up enough thread for a head to prevent the bead from sliding back
- Whip finish and place a drop of head cement on the head.
- Trim off the excess tail.
- Don't forget to pinch your barb and conserve your catch!
