GUNNISON COACHMAN

Pattern by Lynn Reed    Tied by Gale Doudy 

 
 

Hook
Tiemco 2302 size 14
Thread
Black 8/0
Tail
Golden Pheasant Crest
Abdomen
Peacock herls
Rib
Copper Wire (Brassie)
Thorax
Peacock herls
Hackle
Brown Hen hackle
Underwing
Brown calf tail
Overwing
White calf tail

 Photos by Cynthia Hansen

 
 
 
Step 1. Attach thread at ½ point and wrap to the bend of the hook. Tie on 10 to 12 golden crest pheasant fibers at the bend of the hook ¾ shank length.
Step 2. Tie in copper wire from the ½ point to the bend of the hook on the underneath side.
Step 3. Tie in 2 peacock herls at the bend of the hook by the tips.

 

 
 
 
Step 4. Twist peacock into rope and wrap forward to a little past ½ point and tie off. Trim excess rope.
Step 5. Wrap wire forward in 4 or 5 ribs to the front of the peacock. Tie off and trim excess.
Step 6. Tie in 6 to 8 peacock herls at the front of the abdomen.

 

 
 
 
Step 7. Twist peacock herls into rope and make thorax. Leave 3 hook eye distance behind the eye. Tie off and trim excess.
Step 8. Tie in brown hen hackle by the tip in front of the thorax. Wrap hen hackle 1-1/2 times. Tie off and trim excess.
Step 9. Tie in clump of brown calf tail in front of thorax as a wing that extends to the back of the hook.

 

 
 
 
Step 10. Tie clump of white calf tail ½ the size of the brown on top of the brown calf tail.
Step 11. Build a thread head. Tie in with lots of wraps to secure calf tails. Whip finish and cement head.
Finished Fly

 

Donna Doudy hooked up with a Gunnison Coachman

The Gunnison Coachman has been a top fly in several Gunnison Superfly contests. The fly was developed for fishing the DOW’s Van Tyall lease in the town of Gunnison. It also fishes extremely well in the Taylor River. It is one of my go to flies also on the Roaring Fork and the Frying Pan rivers. It can be greased up and fished on top. I mainly fish it as a nymph. Try a size 14 on top and a size 16 underneath. I have fished it dead drifting as well as stripping. If you tie it keep the wing material sparse. Especially the white. It seems to really work in clear water such as the upper Gunnison.
Gale Doudy