Mansfield Bucktail

 

This month’s fly is the Mansfield streamer. I know very little about the origin of this attractor pattern. It was in the Streamer selection when we bought the shop.  Some fisherman will walk right to them and pick up a handful with confidence. Clearly this is a pattern with good reputation among a small group of anglers.  The best story I have about this fly is as follows. An older man walks into the store quietly and picks out a couple of the Mansfield Bucktails and drops them on the counter.  He was a typical old Mainer wearing a Flannel shirt and work pants and I could tell he had spent many a year with a rod in his hand. When I asked him what he might be using this little known pattern for he said “ Flying Ants” with all the confidence in the world. Imagine that!

Hook – streamer size 4-12
Thread – Black
Body – Black floss
Tail -  Golden Pheasant
Rib – silver tinsel
Wing – Orange Bucktail over White Bucktail