Blonde Fashions

Flies and Photography by Joe Cornwall

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There are fourteen named patterns and three variations depicted below. These represent the Blonde series from a historical perspective, but there are no limitations with this style of fly. Add flash material and holographic eyes as you see fit. Top the fly with peacock herl or ostrich herl. Use a cone head. The list is almost endless!

The Delectable Half-Dozen

The flies shown below were tied as true to the original Blonde as Brooks may have tied it as I can manage.  The hooks used are 1950's vintage Mustad 3407 tinned saltwater hooks in size 2/0, which have been in my tackle box for forty years and were in my grandfather's tackle box before that.  Period metallic flat tinsel ribbed with modern medium oval tinsel was used for the body.  A 210 denier (3/0) black thread was used for all flies, as that is how Brooks specified the pattern.  No additional flash material was added and, truth be told, these flies don't need it.  There is an elegant sparseness, almost a Zen-like simplicity to this pattern.  The fly's efficacy only diminishes as one adds frills.  Click on any of the images for a larger view.

Additional Named Patterns

The flies shown below are tied as I like to carry them. These are all tied on 1/0 Mustad salmon hooks.  The hooks need to be sharpened out of the box, but they are good, heavy hooks with a long and successful history.  I've never had one of these hooks fail.  Furthermore, I enjoy the jaunty appearance of the upturned eye .  I think it lends this simple pattern an air of elegance and timeless beauty.  If I were forced to carry only a single streamer design, this would be it.  If I were further reduced to just one color of Blonde, the Platinum Blonde would be it. This is the single most effective pattern you can have in your arsenal, especially if you fish waters that have a large population of alewives or gizzard shad and hungry bass or pike.