Macedonian Fly, Really Old School

[Joe Angelucci]

Need help. I’ve been recently studying the history of fly fishing and learned the first recorded instance of using a fly to catch a fish  dates back to 200 AD (Alien’s Natural History). The fly is red wool wrapped around a hook and dressed as a soft hackle with brown feather (Hen). The pole was a 6 foot pole thought to be fished with a 6 foot line. If anyone is interested in the research, please Google Fly Fishing History.

 Looking for someone to recommend a fly tier. Would like to purchase a dozen flies to fish this spring. I think a #12 would work. I'm using a photo of the fly as my Logo I know this is a bit unusual but catching a gill on a 2000 year old pattern, usually a 6 foot pole on a fixed line has got to be interesting. Besides, why should trout have all the fun. 

[Rick King]

Hi Joe, I would be happy to tie some for you for free, just sent you a friend request. It would be fun to help you with your research.... visit my pictures

[Rick King]

Found the site you were looking at and it also looks like there were several versions and know one really know what the orgional looked like so I could tie you several differant styles......

[Rick King]

Some other facts I found interesting.......

'Treatsye on Fysshynge with an Angle'

15^th Century Fly patterns

March

The Dun Fly: the body of dun wool and the wings of the partridge (? March Brown) Another Dun Fly: the body of black wool; the wings of the blackest drake; and the jay under the wing and under the tail.

April

The Stone Fly: the body of black wool, and yellow under the wing and under the tail; and the wings, of the drake. In the beginning of May, a good fly: the body of reddened wool and lapped about with black silk; the wings, of the drake and the red capon's hackle.

May

The Yellow Fly: the body of yellow wool; the wings of red cock's hackle and of the drake dyed yellow. The Black Leaper: the body of black wool and lapped about with the herl of the peacock's tail; and the wings of the red capon with a blue head.

June

The Dun Cut: the body of black wool, and a yellow stripe along either side; the wings, of the buzzard, bound on with hemp that has been treated with tanbark. The Maure Fly: the body of dusky wool, the wings of the blackest feathers of the wild drake. The Tandy Fly at St. William's Day : the body of tandy wool; and the wings the opposite, either against the other, of the whitest breast feathers of the wild drake.

July

The Wasp Fly: the body of black wool and lapped about with yellow thread; the wings, of the buzzard. The Shell Fly at St. Thomas' Day : the body of green wool and lapped about with the herl of the peacock's tail; wings, of the buzzard.

August

The Drake Fly: the body of black wool and lapped about with black silk; wings of the breast feathers of the black drake with a black head.

[Joe Angelucci]

Rick

Most of the patterns mentioned appear to be soft hackle. I'm a big fan of the North Country Spiders It's amazing that these were fished 500 + years ago and most are still in use today. Just rod , line, and fly. 

[Rick King]

Macedonian Fly Rick Versions

 

http://www.flyfishinghistory.com/macedonian_fly.htm

 

[Joe Angelucci]

Rick amazing 2,000 years of history on that vise. 

[jim cosgrove]

lots of us on here could help you out joei am very curious about this stuff.were the original hooks bronze?horse tail for line and a willow pole.i think the whole idea is great.might try this myself.let us know how this progresses please.

[Joe Angelucci]

Jim

Thanks for the reply. I have found a six foot telescopic pole. That should be fine for my little experiment. The literature suggests that poles 2,000 years ago in that region were made of Hazelwood. I'm not sure of the hooks but the flies were tied by hand.  The lines were horse hair. The funny thing is that single horsehair is rated at about 4 # test. I plan on using 1 # ASSO line direct to the rod and fly. I’ll update in March / April.