Freight Train
The Freight Train is a classic summer steelhead fly created by Randall Kaufmann and developed for Oregon’s Deschutes River, where railroad tracks follow much of the river. It is part of Kaufmann’s railroad-themed group of patterns, which also includes the Signal Light, Coal Car, and Flat Car. The fly is normally cast across and downstream and fished on a controlled swing, particularly in clear water and bright conditions. Freight Trains are commonly tied in sizes 4 through 8, with smaller, sparsely dressed versions useful when steelhead are cautious. Keeping the body smooth, the hackle properly proportioned, and the wing sparse enough to swim cleanly are the main considerations when tying the pattern.
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Recipe
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Hook · standard salmon streamer hook sizes 1/0 - 8
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Thread · black
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Tail · purple hackle fibers
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Body · first 1/4 - fl. fire orange wool, next quarter - fl. red wool, last half - black chenille
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Rib · fine oval silver tinsel
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Wings · white calf tail and pearl krystal flash
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Hackle · soft purple hackle