Jim Hickey’s Condor Fly
Tied By Darrell Olson
Hook: 2x long Dry fly hook size 6 to 12 or hopper hook (Tiemco 5212, Size 6)
Thread: n/a
Materials-
body: Peacock Herl (8 – 10 Herls)
underwing: under wing is foam (orange, brown, black, blue, or chartreuse)
wing: White Calf Tail
legs: Black Medium Round Rubber Legs
collar: Standard dry fly hackle, Brown Grizzly sized for the hook size
Notes:
Fly fishing guide Jim Hickey originated this pattern for the giant brown trout of Patagonia, Chile, the land of the condor. Jim had seen the large browns striking at the surface of the river and tied this pattern to mimic the local fly. When Jim returned home to his native Virginia, he decided to try the pattern on his local waters, the Shenandoah and James Rivers, and it proved devastatingly effective.
In essence, Hickey’s Condor is a large damsel pattern. In warm climates, this fly is a killer on bass and other panfish. This fly also used this pattern in imitate Western salmon fly hatches, and it has proven just as effective for trout. Hickey’s Condor can be dead-drifted or fished like a popping bug. The large hackle collar pushes a great deal of water when stripped, and the fly’s colored body is like a giant indicator. If you like ponds and warm water rivers, Hickey’s Condor won’t let you down. Try blue, chartreuse, orange, brown, and black in sizes #6, #8 and #10.