Zoo Cougar

Materials

Hook

3X- to 6X-long streamer hook (TMC 300 in Galloup's 1990s sheets, TMC 5263 or 9395), sizes 2-6; 6-8 on the early sheets

Thread

GSP 200 (Galloup's current choice) or 140-denier flat nylon, yellow

Tail

Yellow marabou, about a shank lengthWhite, black, olive, tan, gray or golden brown marabou on those variants.

Body

Small pearl Crystal (Chrystaline) chenille or pearl Sparkle Braid, wound to about 40 percent behind the eye

Underwing

White calf tail, a small bunch reaching about the tail tip

Overwing

One mallard flank feather dyed yellow (two on some sheets), tied flat over the top, concave side downDye the flank to match the variant; natural flank for tan or gray.

Collar

Tips of the first bunch of yellow deer body hair, reaching about the hook point

Head

Yellow deer body hair, spun, packed and clipped into a broad, flat-bottomed wedge, wider than it is tallDeer hair colour follows the variant.

Steps

1. 1.Flatten the barb, clamp the hook and lay a thread base back to a point above the barb.
2. 2.Tie in a yellow marabou tail about a shank length long at the bend and bind the butts forward to keep the underbody smooth.
3. 3.Tie in the pearl chenille or braid at the base of the tail, move the thread forward, and wind the body in touching turns to a point about 40 percent of the shank behind the eye (roughly 5/8 in on a size 4). Tie off and trim.
4. 4.Cut a small bunch of white calf tail, clean out the short fibres and stack lightly. Tie it in on top of the body so the tips reach about the end of the tail, and trim the butts on a slant.
5. 5.Strip the fluff from a yellow-dyed mallard flank feather and lay it flat over the top of the fly, concave side down, so it tents over the calf tail and reaches to the tail. Make sure the stem runs straight down the middle: a crooked flank makes the fly spin on the retrieve. Trim the stem.
6. 6.Change to GSP or heavy thread if you have not already. Cut a bunch of yellow deer body hair, comb out the underfur, stack, and measure the tips to about the hook point. Hold it on top with the tips to the rear, take two loose turns, then pull tight so the hair flares and spins. Those tips form the collar.
7. 7.Add two or three more bunches in front, spinning each and packing it back hard against the last until the shank is full to the eye. Whip finish with a few tight turns hard against the eye.
8. 8.Trim the head: first shave the underside flat about 1/16 in below the shank, then cut the top and sides into a broad, flattened wedge, wider than it is tall and tapering back to the collar. The flat belly and wide head are what make it plane and roll.
9. 9.Cement the thread at the eye and let a drop soak into the base of the hair.

From the tier

• Galloup fishes it on a full-sinking line with a short leader; he has said a floating fly is meant to be pulled under by the line rather than weighted, so on every pause the Cougar rises and rolls like an injured sculpin.
• Cast tight to structure and retrieve with fast, hard strips and pauses; Galloup once called it the most productive fly for really big trout he had fished, and he likes it in deep pockets toward dark.
• Tie the mallard flank flat and dead straight, and keep the head flat underneath; a round head or a twisted flank kills the action.

Hook and hardware

• Long-shank streamer hook1

  size 2-6 · TMC 300 or TMC 5263

  Hook

  1

Feathers and fur

• Marabou1 plume

  yellow (or variant colour)

  Tail

  1 plume

• Calf taila pinch

  white

  Underwing

  a pinch

• Mallard flank feather1-2 feathers

  dyed yellow (or to match)

  Overwing

  1-2 feathers

• Deer body hair3-4 pencil-thick bunches

  yellow (or variant colour)

  CollarHead

  3-4 pencil-thick bunches

Synthetics, flash and legs

• Crystal chenille or Sparkle Braidabout 6 in

  small, pearl

  Body

  about 6 in

Thread and finish

• Tying thread1 spool

  GSP 200 or 140 denier, yellow

  Thread

  1 spool

• Head cementa few drops

  Head

  a few drops