FlyAnglers.org

[Johnno]

Three "Killer" style streamers from NZ. The style - flat wings much like the Hornberg wings - are NZ born and bred many decades ago. Accounted for many many trout of the years. The secret to Killer style streamers is to have the wings as flat as possible against the hook shank o/w the fly may twist in the water. To achieve the flat wing profile, keep the body as thin as possible.

Hamills Killer: A still water fly. Deadly on it's day. Probably imiates a dragon fly larvae. The smaller sizes, #6 - #10 really work well.




Hook: # 2 - #10 Regular shank
Thread: Red, green or yellow
Tail: Black squirrel overlaid with Golden Pheasant Tippets.
Body: Tying thread
Wing: Olive dyed mallard breast feathers tied flat along the hook shank.
Head: Black.

The original had rich green olive dyed partridge feathers but the mallard does just as well. Also the body was listed as red or yellow wool but as you cannot see the body under the wing, just stick to the tying thread. Two - three matched feathers of the appropriate size either side

Kilwell #2. Again mainly a stillwater pattern. Imitates either a dragonfly larvae or a small bully (sculpin to you guys). The Kilwell #1 has a wing of brown partridge.



Hook: #2 - 10 regular shank
Thread: Red or yellow
Tail: Black squirrel
Body: Tying thread
Wing: Mottle grouse breast feathers tied in pairs either side up the body.
Head: Black

Again the originals called for a red or yellow wool body.Tie in the feathers one pair at a time either side of the body from the rear up to the head. A small fly may only need one pair. A big one may need 3 -4 - 5 pairs. ditto comments for the Mrs Simpson below

Mrs Simpson Probably the most famous of the Killer style streamers. A great river or lake fly.



Hook: #2 - 10 regular shank
Thread: Yellow or red
Tail: Black squirrel
Body: Tying thread
Wings: pheasant rump feathers
Head: black.

The fly is also seen with the 'church window' feathers from further up the male pheasant's back and is also an effective fly, but the fly depicted uses the original feathers.

Other Killer style streamers use Woodcock feathers (Lord's Killer), Grey Partridge (Leslie's Lure), Natural grey mallard (Mallard #1 and Mallard #2) Peacock (Black Pete) and Pukeko (Black Phantom)

Pretty much any soft hackle feathers can be used for Killer style flies.


They developed in the North Island of New Zealand predominatly. In the South Island they also were used but the style favoured had the wing slightly different in that it was tied on top of the hook exposing the body.





These particular flies are nearly 70 years old and were tied by the originator of the pattern, Mona Carter who worked in a Christchurch tackle shop before the war. It's called a Mrs Simpson (Kea) and was tied with feathers from a native mountain parrot (Kea) Its now protected and it's feathers cannot be used for flies.

I used to have about two dozen of these flies, inherited from my father who ordered a heap of them from Mona Carter in 1939 - 1940. Now down to just three; one green, one red and one yellow. I figured that as they were tied to be used, I should use them, and I did for years - but the three remaining flies will never see water again.

Retired with honours. A reminder of days many decades ago. Dusty shingle roads, remote lakes, cane rods, silk lines, simple uncomlicated flies and an innocence and simplicity of fly fishing that will never again be touched.

[Fly Fisherman]

Thanks Johnno for posting. Very interesting.
Again thanks,
~~Carl~~