[Robert MacDonald-Lewis]

I saw a picture of a Cardineal in one of Stan Headley’s Trout and Salmon articles. Liked the look of the fly and thought I’d tie one up. In the process of doing so a couple of variants sprang to mind. Nothing ground breaking, but I think they should be useful enough. The double wing has quite a nice effect.

[James Laraway]

Now I like those 

When you say double wing, do you mean double hackle ?

[Mike Barrio]

Nice, very nice 

[Robert MacDonald-Lewis]

Thanks gents.

James, the wings are in two parts (Just noticed that my Cardineal is also a bit of a variant), first is a small bunch of hackle fibres with teal, blue guinea fowl or mallard over.  only the second fly has a double hackle.

[James Laraway]

Gotcha.

Out of interest what are the hooks? They look nice and sturdy

[Robert MacDonald-Lewis]

The top and bottom flies are tied on Firehole 609 hooks (size 10).  They are a little bit bigger than B175 or FullingMill 35005 in the same size, and also have a more down swept eye than the FullingMill hooks.

The middle fly is tied on a FullingMill Heavyweight Champ 35005. I like these hooks for my wet flies, use them instead of B175's. Seem to hook and hold well.