The Tangled Tackle

The Peacock and Partridge

Seldom does a fly encapsulate the enduring charm and diverse appeal of the Peacock and Partridge. With a lineage stretching back to the genesis of our beloved sport, this wet fly has repeatedly demonstrated its impressive efficiency in catching trout and grayling. Despite its age-old design, the Peacock and Partridge is often pushed into the shadows of modern fly boxes outshone by the dry-nymph-streamer triad. However, savvy anglers well acquainted with this pragmatic pattern value its utility in varied water types and its consistent ability to entice fish in diverse scenarios.

The design of the Peacock and Partridge fly pattern is a masterclass in simplicity and classic wet fly composition. Its appeal doesn't lie in imitating a specific aquatic insect but rather in its captivating ambiguity. The fly lures fish by presenting an elusive yet irresistible prey profile that trout and grayling find hard to resists. Its allure is magnified by the robust natural materials used: the mesmerizing shimmer of peacock herl for the body, the fluttery Hungarian partridge for the hackle, subtle color hues from the tying threads, and the stalwart wide gap hook.

The shimmering peacock herl making up the body imparts a pulsating glow to the fly that mirrors the lifelike sheen of many aquatic insects, activating feeding triggers in fish. The partridge hackle lends the fly a movement that simulates the delicate motion of insect legs or wings underwater, making it an irresistible quarry for its intended prey.

The Peacock and Partridge is not merely a fly; it's a lesson in the essential nature of fly fishing. Its enduring popularity affirms the eternal truth that complexity doesn't always correlate with effectiveness. Its unadorned form, featuring just the right blend of motion, color, and shape, echoes the profound simplicity of fishing. Regardless of its centuries-old design, the Peacock & Partridge pattern retains its rightful place in the modern fly angler's arsenal.

Peacock and Partridge

When to Fish the Peacock and Partridge

The Peacock and Partridge fly pattern is a resourceful choice usable effectively all year round. Nonetheless, its magic is most evident during the cooler months when trout and grayling are more inclined to feed sub-surface.

In the spring and early summer months, amidst peak aquatic insect activity, this fly can be a reliable choice. It successfully mimics a range of emerging caddisflies, mayflies, and sedges, making it a dependable fallback when you're uncertain which specific insect the fish are feeding on. During hatches, especially when the water teems with a mix of different insects, the versatility of this fly makes it an invaluable inclusion in your fly box.

Even in the autumn and winter, when a chill in the weather leads to a general decrease in insect activity, the Peacock and Partridge holds its ground. Its lifelike action and conspicuous iridescence underwater presents a tempting offering for trout and grayling eager to build their reserves before the winter freeze.

Moreover, this fly proves to be a tactical advantage on overcast or rainy days when fish are less likely to rise and feed on the surface. The strength of the Peacock and Partridge fly is its ability to present a compelling "all-rounder" profile that proves irresistible to fish, regardless of the fishing conditions or season.

How to Fish the Peacock and Partridge

Several techniques can enhance your fishing experience with the Peacock and Partridge fly pattern.

Conventionally, 'down and across' is the preferred style of fishing wet flies like the Peacock and Partridge. Cast across and slightly downstream, and allow the fly to sink as it swings across the stream. The water acting on the hackle creates alluring motion, stimulating strikes from fish.

Remember that the Peacock and Partridge is a 'soft hackle' fly. This attribute lends the fly its vivacious underwater action. The soft fibers sway in the current, emulating the natural movements of a winged insect or its legs.

Fishing the Peacock and Partridge under an indicator is another viable option. Cast upstream and let your fly drift naturally with the current. This strategy presents the fly before the line to the fish, making it appear like a freely floating morsel and increasing your chances of a successful strike.

Using the Peacock and Partridge as a dropper fly in a tandem rig, paired with a larger lead fly, is another effective strategy. This approach works well in deeper pools or when fish hold lower in the water column. The Peacock and Partridge, drifting naturally behind a heavier fly, often proves irresistible to fish.

Finally, don't hesitate to experiment with your retrieve when fishing stillwaters. Short, brisk strips simulate a fleeing insect, while slow, steady pulls suggest a more leisurely prey. Remember to try different speeds and patterns to find the winning combination on any given day. The beauty of the Peacock and Partridge fly lies in its versatility; it's hard to fish it wrong.

The History of the Peacock and Partridge

The Peacock and Partridge fly pattern exudes a history as rich and varied as fly fishing itself. Its inception can be traced back to England's chalk streams, a picturesque landscape painted with rolling hills, towering reed beds, and timeless allure. Imagine a time before the influx of synthetic materials and intricate fly designs, a time when fly fishing was a simple pursuit pitting man against fish. In this context, the Peacock and Partridge emerged as a favorite among anglers.

The anglers then, ruggedly patient, sought to craft a pattern reflecting the essence of fly fishing. They needed something simple, strong, and versatile that could attract a variety of fish. Drawing from their surroundings, they chose two materials indigenous to Britain: the mesmerizing herl of the peacock, a bird synonymous with elegance and beauty, and the soft, supple feathers of the partridge, a game bird abundant in the English countryside.

There's a poetic elegance in the combination of these two locally sourced materials. The peacock, emblematic of royalty and immortality, its iridescent feathers as enchanting as they are resilient. The partridge, a symbol of humility and simplicity, with light, fluttery feathers that balance the peacock herl’s brilliance. Together, they form an alliance as balanced as it is effective, affirming the ethos of the anglers who fished the tranquil waters of the chalk streams.

Over the years, the Peacock and Partridge has seen numerous variations, each reflecting the individual preferences of the tyer. Despite these adaptations, the essence of the fly - the harmonious blend of peacock herl and partridge feather - stays unaltered, a testament to its enduring efficacy and the timeless appeal of simplicity. From the chalk streams of England to water bodies worldwide, the Peacock and Partridge continues to fascinate and find its way into the fly boxes of both seasoned and novice anglers.

How to Tie the Peacock and Partridge

Materials

Tying Instructions

  1. Secure your hook in the vise and start the fluorescent green thread just behind the hook's eye, wrapping a base layer down to the start of the bend.
  2. Cut a small piece of the gold ultra wire and tie it in at the start of the bend with a series of tight wraps, working your way back up to about the mid-point of the shank.
  3. Select two or three strands of peacock herl, align their tips, and tie them in where your thread is currently located. Wrap your thread forward to just behind the eye and let it hang.
  4. Twist the peacock herl around your thread to reinforce it, then wrap this herl-thread combination forward, creating the body. Resist the temptation to make the body too thick. Secure and trim off any excess herl.
  5. Select a well-marked partridge neck feather with fibers about as long as the hook shank. Remove any fluffy base fibers and cut a small triangle from the top of the feather to expose the tip. Tie in the feather by its tip just behind the hook's eye.
  6. Using your hackle pliers, grasp the stem of the partridge feather, and make one full turn around the hook to form the hackle. Secure the feather with your thread and trim off any excess.
  7. Rib the fly with the gold ultra wire in a counter-direction to that of the hackle and herl wraps. Usually, five evenly spaced turns will suffice. Secure and trim the wire once you reach the eye of the hook.
  8. Switch to your black thread and build a neat head to cover any thread wraps or feather stubs. Finish with a whip finish, ensuring that the knot is secure.
  9. Apply a small amount of head cement to the whip finish to create a durable, glossy finish.

The appeal of the Peacock and Partridge lies in its simplicity. Try to keep your dressings sparse and neat to maintain the delicate, lifelike qualities of the original design. Happy Tying!

Tips & Tricks