Flyfishing the Sierras

• Hook: Daiichi 1550 #10-16
• Thread: Black 6/0
• Tag: Gold Tinsel
• Rib: Fine Gold Wire
• Body: Peacock Herl
• Underbody: Olive Antron Dubbing
• Wing: Gray Mallard Quill
• Hackle: Black Laced Brown Hen Hackle

Notes: The Leadwing Coachman finds it's origins in the early 1800's as an offering from a carriage driver to his English Lord for fishing. Although wet flies found much interest during the early 1900's, they seem to have lost favor with most flyfishermen. The Leadwing Coachman can still be an effective fly, today. The Peacock Herl body has proven to be popular as an atttractor with many patterns from the Zug Bug to the Prince Nymph. The best use for the Leadwing Coachman is during gray caddisfly hatches, particularly when the dry flies seem to be ineffective. The Leadwing looks like diving caddis laying their eggs on the bottom of the trout stream.
Other variations from this pattern include the Royal Coachman and the California Coachman. The Royal Coachman was designed by John Haily of New York in 1878 and is probably the most recognized fly in the world. The California Coachman was designed by Mr. J.W. Fricke of San Francisco in the early 1900's and was published in A. Courtney Williams book, "Trout Flies" in 1932.

Variations:

• Hook: Daiichi 1550 #10-16
• Thread: Black 6/0
• Tail: 8-10 Golden Pheasant Tippets
• Rib: Fine Gold Wire
• Body: Peacock Herl, Red Floss
• Wing: Mallard Quills
• Hackle: Brown Hackle
• Head: Black Ostrich Herl

• Hook: Daiichi 1550 #10-16
• Thread: Black 6/0
• Tail: 8-10 Golden Pheasant Tippets
• Rib: Fine Gold Wire
• Body: Peacock Herl, Yellow Floss
• Wing: Mallard Quills
• Hackle: Brown Hackle