Fly of the Month

D.R. Smelt (The Informationist) - Click Image to Enlarge

You have heard it before. "They were the glue behind....." or "that person kept it all togethor". As cliche as it sounds, it really was no different for Doreen Ripley.

Doreen was the eyes and ears of River Phillip and Riptide Tackle, located in Amherst Nova Scotia. Whenever I visted "the shop", I was always welcomed with a mother-like welcome. Doreen would give you the latest conditions of the river, how many fish have been caught, who caught it, and which pools were the Hotspots. She would even tell you which fly to use. A strong-willed lady, who had the courage of a lion, and the right information about fishing River Phillip, just like a Ripley should....

This Smelt fly was origianlly one of my favorite Sea Trout flies. I had not had an official name for it, but a little change of the body from silver tinsel to white pearl diamond braid, made it a perfect fit next to a JR Smelt. Fittingly. It has the body of the JR Smelt, but has the killer combo of Peacock Herl and Cree Hackle.