The Comet

The Comet is a steelhead fly.  The Comet was developed in northern California in the 1940s, originally for the Eel River.  I caught my first steelhead, with a fly rod, with this fly pattern on the Russian River.  Hopefully this March when the coastal rivers drop into shape, you can give this fly a try.  I recommend having a couple of these in your steelhead box.  During this fly tying demonstration you will learn to work with buck-tail, create a dubbing loop collar, palmer hackle wet-fly style, and thread control.

Hook: Size 6 Salmon/Steelhead hook (Gamakatsu T10-6H or TMC7999)

Thread: 50D or 100D GSP thread, or 6/0, black

Head: Gold Bead Chain Eyes, medium

Tail: Red Buck-Tail

Body: Flat Diamond Braid, root beer

Flash: Krystal Flash, hot orange

Collar: Whiting 4B Hen Saddle, orange

Tools: Wax, Head Cement, Bodkin, Dubbing Spinner, Hackle Pliers, Scissors, Bobbin, Whip Finisher, light or head lamp