Alexandra Wet Fly - Trout Fly Tying for Beginners

Another classic, the Alexandra wet fly originated in Great Britian in the 1860s, was originally called the "Lady of the Lake," and has been popular in the United States for at least a hundred years.
It's not the easiest pattern to tie but with a little practice even a novice tier can make some decent looking flies following these instructions
Hook: Wet fly, #8-12
Thread: Black
Tail: Red goose or duck feather
Rib: Silver wire or oval tinsel
Body: Silver mylar tinsel
Hackle: Black hen or cock
Wing: Peacock sword fibers
Topping: This slips of red goose or duck
Savage Flies is a project (named after one of my homewaters, the Savage River in Western Maryland, US). I've been trout fishing for many years but have only been tying for the last couple and am learning more every week. If you have any pointers on techniques that would help, I would love to hear them in the comments.

[@willikebari5478]

An often underrated classic Wet Fly!

[@SavageFlies]

I agree Willi. I just love the looks of this classic pattern!

[@marshallbaldwin8960]

Very nice looking fly. Thank you Sir Matt

[@davidhughes2622]

Hi from Kansas City 🎣🤠 Dave Hughes What a beautiful fly to tye!?!. That's a fish catching bug. I like everything you did for it. I even went to the fly shop and got a handful of peacock soard feathers and give it a shot. Thanks for all your time and knowledge, good health for you and your's. Dave Hughes 🎣🤠.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Dave! I always appreciate you watching my friend. :-)

[@jeffreystone7327]

Great video. With great detail for each stage and materials. One of the most beautiful flies that I’ve seen you tie. Thank you Sir.

[@SavageFlies]

Well thank you Jeff! I just finished tomorrow morning's fly, now on to the comments and email. PS: I just saw your email... will get to those shortly. :-)

[@Wyamike734]

As always love the intro of the history for the fly you are about to tie. Just a beautiful looking fly which I’m sure will still catch a bunch of fish! Will plan on tying this in the future! Thanks !!

[@wayneandrews1278]

Great looking fly

[@richardjones2129]

Tks Matt. I really like this fly. I see it an some variations in my flybox when I hit the creeks n rivers here n nor cal. God Bless n fish on!

[@SavageFlies]

Absolutely Richard! This is such a classic fly I'm sure it's been effective all over the place. :-)

[@Check-Your-Fly]

Fantastic video! I swing this fly in the fall for coho on the Big Manistee River in Michigan. It's a fish catcher! The Alexandrea fly (aka Lady of the Lake) was such a killing fly circa 1800's that it was banned in some waters in the UK.Thanks for sharing! Cheers!

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks John and yeah, I'd heard about it being banned back in the day too. Certainly an interesting history to this one!

[@huntingmissouri5420]

Wow beautiful bug!!!

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks man!

[@davehall2160]

That is a gorgeous fly Matt

[@SavageFlies]

Thank you Dave!! I love this fly too and it's sad nobody seems to tie it anymore. I may have to redo this one and talk a little more about the history. :-)

[@minimal_enthusiasm5971]

Thanks for another great video Matt! I have recently become obsessed with tying and fishing classic wet fly patterns so this whole series has been incredibly useful! In fact I'm starting to find these old flies are, for the most part, more effective than dry flies on the rivers I fish here in Scotland. Keep the good work, all the best! 😁

[@SavageFlies]

That's outstanding to hear! And I certainly believe you... I've always thought a good wet fly fisherman will quite often out fish a good dry fly fisherman. I'm just not a good wet fly fisherman yet so usually resort to the surface bugs. :-)

[@ScruffyLookinNerfHerder]

Matt - I've been doing a lot of trout spey - tying larger "wet flies" like the Alexandra in sizes 6 - 10. But they look a lot like streamers to me and it got me wondering - what differentiates these larger-sized wets from streamers? I can't find anything that clearly defines the difference, and I was hoping you could help. Love the channel.