Fly Tying the Haystack - Appalachian/Great Smoky Mountain Trout Pattern

One of Frances Betters' original patterns, the Haystack was created in the 1950s on the Ausable River in the Adirondack region. This high-floating dry fly found its way to the southern Appalachia and has been a popular fish-catcher in the area since.
This pattern predated the comparadun and by varying the colors can imitate any number of mayflies-- the Quill Gordon, March Brown or Hendrickson.
Hook: #12-18 dry fly
Thread: Black or to match body
Tail: Deer hair
Body: Natural or synthetic dry fly dubbing
Wing: Deer hair, tied upright in a 180 degree arc
Savage Flies is a project with the mission of encouraging and teaching fly tying to as many people as possible. The channel is named after one of my western Maryland homewaters, the Savage River. I've been uploading at least three new videos a week (usually Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday).
Thanks for stopping by. Please let me know in the comments if you have any tips or tricks that could help me or anyone else watching.

[@paulallen7651]

This pattern is definitely the front runner to the comparadun. These videos are excellent. They make me want to tie even though my boxes are full to brimming.

[@jasonarrowood3349]

Like it Matt. That could be a versital fly by changing colors as you mentioned. Very few matterials involved too. Thanks for another great tie.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Jason! I appreciate you watching (and the nice comment!)

[@chromeslayer5269]

I am really enjoying your channel. I lived a decade in carolina coastal region, I wasn't a fly fisherman or a trout fisherman at the time. I'm planning a trip to nantahala next year and I'll be going in armed with a box of this series. I'm having a blast watching these videos and tying these flies

[@SavageFlies]

That's great to hear, and thanks so much for the kind comments! I lived on Charleston for a few years so know what it's like being a long way from trout water. Thanks again!

[@flyrodhiker8326]

Very nice sir, well done! Thanks again for sharing

[@SavageFlies]

You got it my friend! Thanks for watching. :-)

[@marshallbaldwin8960]

This is a great looking floater. I'm ready to get some for my box. Thank you Sir Matt.

[@chasselynch5733]

Great tying on the wing Matt !! Deer hair isn't easy to work with ..

[@saundratate6367]

Great video, Matt! Really enjoying this series! Keith

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Keith! I've got about 30 more GSM patterns to tie but have been trying to do about 1-2 a week to keep this series going. Too many flies and too little time!! Thanks for watching my friend. :-)

[@MayheM_72]

This pattern looks GREAT! I just got ahold of a bunch of fur (muskrat, beaver, fox, etc) so I may try this style in different colors.

[@davehall2160]

Great looking fly Matt

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Dave! Appreciate you watching. :-)

[@mikeney5113]

Great tie matt.looks great.thanks for sharing.

[@SavageFlies]

I appreciate it Mike!

[@wayneandrews1278]

Great looking fly I going to do one ty

[@OttoJulian_]

Hey Matt. Just wanted to let you know that I watch your video yesterday on my TV while I was working out at the living room. But couldn't leave any comments on the TV and forgot to hit like as well so just came back for that and I'm guessing you used the andycine on this one? 🙂🙂

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Otto! Actually I think this was still the old LED light. I'm about four videos ahead of schedule so I think the first one you'll see with the Andycine will be next week (maybe 9/12 or 9/14). It's hard to tell unless you look at a before and after side by side, but my fingers definitely look better with the new light. :-)

[@OttoJulian_]

@@SavageFlies oh I see!!! That's awesome. I wish I could speed up my workflow and have a bunch of videos lined up just to be released!! Good job!!!

[@SavageFlies]

I usually dont! But I'm going on a week long fishing trip, leaving next weekend, so I've been doing double time trying to get six videos ahead. I'm normally not this efficient. 😁

[@OttoJulian_]

@@SavageFlies ooooh!!! Haha well thought!! I always wonder how am I going to get through when traveling gets back to normal because I'm usually gone for about 2 weeks!

[@dryflycaster]

Great video and tie, but I would be remiss if I did not point out that Fran tied the Haystack using basically two different thread colors, one color to match the dubbing and the other a very bright orange. His early creations were tied using the match the dubbing color, while later in life he mainly used the bright orange. Not sure, but I believe he felt the orange was an additional attraction. In any case it is a terrific fly and has been my Go-To starting fly for many years . I've caught many fish from the Rockies to the East Coast using this fly. It is a outstanding pattern to use during a caddis hatch.

[@SavageFlies]

Great comment; thank you! I've seen more written about this fly in the couple of years since I made this video and I believe you're 100% right. Just looking at this video reminded me I need to re-tie this and put another row of these in my box. Thanks again for the note!

[@comesahorseman]

👍👍

[@glenndotter5065]

Nice Comparadun type patern. Should be a killer.

[@chasselynch5733]

What you tied will copy any of the drake's ,March brown bwo hell about 90% of what hatches April thru mid june