Black and Orange Whistler

Anthony J. Route, in his book Flies for Alaska, feels that this fly deserves attention and should be in everyone's fly box for King Salmon because it often works when nothing else will. It's a big fly with a big profile and sometimes that's exactly what those huge fish want. He has had some great success with it on big Kings. He is not sure to attribute its success to the size or the color, but says that the black and orange have been the most successful color combinations. The bucktail body is tied in staggered by first tying a clump at the tail position. Wrap the thread forward, about two-thirds up the hook shank, and attach another clump, extending to the same length as the first. Tie in three more bunches, two at the sides and one at the throat, all extending to the same length as the first bunch.