Kalama Special
The Kalama Special is a Pacific Northwest pattern originally developed for sea-run cutthroat and later adopted as a steelhead fly. Credited to Mike Kennedy, it is normally cast across and downstream and fished on a controlled swing through riffles, runs, and tailouts. Its bright body and contrasting wing make it especially useful as a searching pattern or when the water is slightly colored. Kalama Specials are commonly tied in sizes 4 through 10, with larger versions suited to higher flows and smaller flies useful in clear water. Palmering the hackle evenly and keeping the wing sparse and properly aligned are the main considerations when tying the pattern.
Tied the Kalama Special?
Show off your version — community photos are featured right on this page.
Recipe
This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
-
Hook · standard salmon streamer hook sizes 2 - 8
-
Thread · black
-
Tag · flat silver tinsel
-
Tail · red hackle fibers
-
Body · yellow chenille
-
Wings · white bucktail or calf tail
-
Hackle · Grizzly palmered over body