Black Ghost
The Black Ghost is a classic American streamer developed by Maine fly tyer and guide Herb Welch in 1927. Designed to suggest smelt and other small baitfish, it became especially popular for brook trout, landlocked salmon, and other predatory freshwater fish. The fly can be stripped through lakes and ponds, swung across river currents, or trolled behind a boat. Traditional Black Ghosts use paired white hackle feathers for the wing, although marabou and bucktail variations are also widely tied and provide additional movement or durability. It is commonly fished in larger sizes, with the main tying challenge being mounting the wings evenly so the fly remains balanced and tracks correctly in the water.
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Recipe
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Hook · streamer hook 6X
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Thread · black
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Tail · yellow hackle fibers. Tied short and sparse.
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Body · black floss
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Rib · medium flat silver tinsel
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Throat (hackle) · yellow hackle fibers tied sparse
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Wings · four white saddle hackles
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Cheeks · jungle cock eyes (optional)