Saving the Eggie - a nearly forgotten fly

Created by Egbert Earl "Eggie" Bugby of Grayling, Michigan sometime between 1920-1950, the Eggie Special was once a popular fly in the area. Researched by Paul Beel of Frankenfly, the pattern here is tied with the original dressing Eggie used.
For more history on the pattern, check out: frankenfly.com
Hook: #10-12 dry fly
Thread: Black
Tail: 3-4 turkey tail fibers
Rib: Brown dry fly hackle
Body: Yellow wool
Wings: Barred ginger hackle tips
Hackle: Brown and grizzly
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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. Thanks for stopping by.

[@toddslichter7831]

Thanks for all the research you do in the history of the patterns you tie, Matt...you are definitely a fly tying geek...it takes one, to know one. 😎 Thanks for sharing my friend. Have a great weekend.

[@SavageFlies]

Ha! Yes I am Todd. But it’s a fun hobby to be a geek about. 🤣

[@tompeterson559]

This is a cool fly. It reminds me of some vintage flies I saw in the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum in Tacoma. Kudos to Paul Beel and the Bugby boys for all the research, too!

[@tompeterson559]

And thanks for the link to FrankenFly!

[@SavageFlies]

You’re most welcome Tom! Thanks for watching my friend. 👍

[@vernlund3564]

Egbert must have been, one cool dude back in the day, I'd pay to go fishing with him. Another nice tie and great info., Thanks!

[@SavageFlies]

Ha! Thanks Vern. I’d say he would have been fun to hang out with. 🤣

[@paulsalmon2368]

Thanks Matt for another 5 or so minutes of entertaining fly tying.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Paul!

[@epsieblaine7968]

Hi Matt.What a great lookin fly.It's looks like a SM fly.Like you,got a lot of books,it's in none of them.We tied a dozen,this morning.Thanks for sharing this pattern.We spent last week on Hazzel Creek in the park.I wished I had this fly,bet it would been a trout catcher.Great job Matt.Have a great weekend. Ken and Linda

[@martyrothman3933]

Good morning Matt good morning everyone I really like the fact that you find these old patterns I just love these thank you so much for taking your time

[@SavageFlies]

You’re welcome Marty! And I always appreciate you watching my friend. 👍

[@kenb4685]

Fabulous looking fly and great history Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Ken! I appreciate you watching my friend. 👍

[@laytonmarvin3790]

Cool pattern Matt, definitely a high floater. Thanks for sharing

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Layton! Appreciate it my friend. 👍

[@chrisingram9798]

Very nice pattern. I’m definitely going to tie some of these up just for the fun of it. Thanks Matt

[@SavageFlies]

You’re welcome Chris! Thank you for watching my friend. 😁

[@jimholland1592]

Hey Matt, I just got home been out an about all day with no cell service. This is a beautiful fly and just think we could have lost it. Thanks for sharing and or picking this. Hope all is going well👍

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Jim! All is well here. I’m up at the farm for the weekend. I might be able to get in a couple hours of fishing. 😁

[@edwardchavez5627]

Good Morning Sir Matt, a very sweet looking fly this morning Sir. I need to try this one asap, it looks so bugie.

[@SavageFlies]

Ha! Thanks Edward. You have a great weekend my friend. 👍

[@pc5439]

Great fly Matt, always important to remember history, have been a follower of Frankenfly for some time now, another good source of information and materials, always fun to special blend your own dubbing. Try some Jameson's naturally Shetland wool in Paparik color or many of their broad selection of assorted colors. This fly would look good in a rust color.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Phil! And I agree about making your own dubbing blends. I do it all the time!

[@edwardmlotkiewicz2343]

Thanks for the interesting history of this fly. Definitely Ozark -style, not Catskills-style by the body profile. It is very similar to a classic Light Cahill tied traditionally ( see Light Cahill as presented in the book "The Flytier's Manual" by Mike Dawes). Always enjoy these videos and the histories of the flies.

[@SavageFlies]

Well thank you Ed! I appreciate the note my friend.

[@marshallbaldwin8960]

I really love this historic fly. Thank you for sharing this beautiful fly Matt

[@jamesphillips2216]

Super cool fly!! One that didn’t need to be forgotten!! Thanks for sharing Matt!!

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks James! I appreciate the note my friend.

[@crowdaddy8355]

Great history behind this fly. Thanks Matt and hope you have a great weekend.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Chad! And you too my friend. 👍

[@ybarrajc]

Thanks Matt, I appreciate the history. Thanks for sharing have a blessed day my friend.

[@joutdoorsmen23]

Cool fly Matt, awesome back story, thanks for sharing!!!!!!!

[@SavageFlies]

You’re welcome! And thank you for watching. 👍

[@jimgollach6202]

Egbert was ahead of his time. I say this fly would work in just about any region. Excellent tie Matt, thanks for sharing. Tight lines. 👍

[@SavageFlies]

I agree Jim! Thanks and have a great weekend my friend. 👍

[@joeduca8582]

Looks like the Eggie Special comes with a double side of bacon, yum! Yes, that's definitely a rugged mountain pattern, Smokies or Adirondacks. I'll bet you a donut they used that for Hexagenia with those yellow and brown shades and the long turkey tail fibers for the tail. Fun stuff Matt. Yeah, Paul Beel is a good man, very willing to help tyers. He's helped me in the past. Thanks Matt, another great session. :o)

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Joe! I didn’t mention in the video but Paul asked if I would do the Stockard fly-of-the-month and we picked this one. I loved the history and what all he did to keep it alive. So stay tuned for this tie to show up on their blog. 😁

[@joeduca8582]

@@SavageFlies 🤓👍That's awesome Matt!!!

[@RyanAshley419]

I certainly remember my grand grandfather down in Norris, TN, tied some flies very similar to that.

[@SavageFlies]

Oh yeah Ryan! I’d say there are a few GSM patterns kind of similar to this one. I’ll have to go back and check out the Thunderhead.

[@mikeking453]

Cool story and really nice tying

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Mike! I appreciate the note my friend. 👍

[@davidwright7140]

Just saw this, and I think you’re right. Will work well here in the Appalachians. Tying a few today. Thanks!

[@TrappingTheMitten-JohnHowell]

Awesome fly! Though I was able to tie with Bob Smock Sr. on several occasions, I have never seen this fly before. Great history and thanks for bringing it back. Those Grayling flytyers have always amazed me. Looking forward to a Smock original on here. As always Matt, you make it look so easy! Great video, keep up the great work.

[@SavageFlies]

Well thank you John! I’ll try to find a Bob Smock original to put on my to-do list. 👍

[@melchurch3019]

Saving patterns one video at a time. Thanks Matt for the history and tutorial of a Michigan fly. I'll have to try the wool grinder dubbing trick. I bought a coffee grinder at Goodwill a few years back for 5 bucks. It really blends custom dubbing quickly.

[@SavageFlies]

You bet Mel; I appreciate you watching my friend! And yep, I agree that a coffee grinder is a great dubbing blender!

[@Hunter711pa]

Nice job Matt

[@davehall2160]

Very cool looking fly Matt Definitely going to try this one out Thanks for the video

[@juwright1949]

Absolutely outstanding ! Well done. 👍🏻

[@brandonharden1165]

Very nice fly! You’re right it does look like a WNC fly!

[@richardjones2129]

That is a cool looking pattern. Definitely has a fishy appeal to it. Thanks for sharing it. God Bless n Fish on!

[@mikeney5113]

Matt this is a very cool pattern.i love the looks of it.i will definitely put few in my box.thanks a bunch for all you do.love the channel

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Mike! I always appreciate you watching my friend. 😁

[@ConorMakes]

Excellent team work in keeping the old alive for the next generation Matt, Well done all involved. Brilliant and Brilliant again

[@SavageFlies]

Well thank you Conor! I appreciate the kind words my friend. 👍

[@bigdaddy99929]

Very cool story. Fly is most definitely nice as well. Look forward to tying and fishing. Thx Matt.

[@diecastrejuvenation7779]

Good morning Matt! Another fly rescued from obscurity. I love that you keep the history of the sport alive. Always fun to hear the histories, then have the chance to add them to my box.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Troy! That’s one of the things I love most about this sport. 😁

[@jeffreystone7327]

Awesome that this fly was saved. Way too cool to have been lost. Makes you wonder how many other great flies have gone by the wayside through the years? Beautiful fly and tying job Matt. Thank you for sharing this one with us. Have a great weekend buddy.

[@SavageFlies]

You’re absolutely right Jeff! I’m sure there are a lot of flies we may never see again.

[@rollinlapoint4554]

A really nice floater!

[@johnhanley8708]

I like the fly, nice job Matt ,thanks for your knowledge

[@SavageFlies]

You’re welcome John! Thanks for watching my friend. 👍

[@howardmceachern6614]

Thanks for the education and knowledge you dispense each time you present a fly pattern. It does not make my fingers work any better but puts a smile on my face. Thanks for all that you do.

[@SavageFlies]

Wow Howard; thank you for your kind words my friend. Have a great weekend!

[@Woodyt]

That's a very nice pattern and can use what you have like you mentioned. Nicely done

[@MyItalians]

Morning Matt. You always surprise us with some nice flies. This is one that I hope people will keep living on. If you fish it let us know how it worked. Have a blessed day.

[@SavageFlies]

Will do Nich! Thanks for the kind words my friend. 👍

[@Jd-yc3gw]

Good morning Matt. Enjoyed todays video and the history behind these old flies is always interesting to me. I really like that you take the time to present the history behind the fly. Take care Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks John! And I always appreciate you watching my friend. 👍

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

Kool fly! Thanks for once again helping preserve our hobby's incredible history Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

You're welcome Garrett and thanks for watching my friend!

[@hirkojs]

WOW Matt ! I really like the looks of this fly ! Mega Thx again for another great video.

[@SavageFlies]

Well thank you! I appreciate the kind words my friend. :-)

[@jimkinzer5155]

I really like this pattern

[@jamesvatter5729]

I like that pattern and style. Certainly one that shouldn't be "forgotten." Sharing these little tidbits of fly tying history are a great service to the tying community, Matt. Thanks!

[@SavageFlies]

We’ll thank you Jim! It does make it more interesting when I can dig up some history. Have a great weekend my friend!

[@charlessmith696]

Thanks for the lesson and research,I will check out the frankinfly.

[@knowyourjoe8826]

Like the history of the flies. Thanks for sharing.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Bill! I appreciate the note. :-)

[@HB-bc5po]

Absolutely love the back stories you generally supply, but this one, spanning generations was really special! I thoroughly enjoy your channel, thank you for what you do.

[@SavageFlies]

You're most welcome; and I appreciate the kind words my friend. :-)

[@nicolelewis1828]

Matt, I love your content! I learn so much from your videos. Great fly! Thanks for this!

[@SavageFlies]

You're most welcome Nicole! Thanks so much for the comment. :-)

[@markmartinak2089]

Nice fly I don't think I have ever seen it in any fly shops in Michigan

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Mark! I’d say it’s definitely a blast from the past.

[@leemowers9395]

I saw a neat trick to splay the tails on a mayfly type fly. Take a loose segment of thread, whatever color is handy, loop it around the hook bend and place one end of the thread on either side of the center tail, pull the thread forward splaying the tails and bind atop the body. Do this after attaching the tail. Great fly Matt,I love the pattern. Until next time.

[@SavageFlies]

Great tip Lee! I’m going to try that next time. I suppose you can split a tail of three fibers if you leave two strands of thread.

[@leemowers9395]

Matt, or use a scrap piece of thread, instead of a tail to your current tie.

[@richardbutts6512]

Awesome history!! I like this one as well!! Been busy looking for a sailboat and have not been on here for awhile got a lot of catchin up to do! Thanks take care

[@SavageFlies]

Good luck with that Richard! And don’t worry about me- I’m not going anywhere. 👍

[@richardbutts6512]

@@SavageFlies Not worried about ya goin nowhere lol just lettin ya know where I been. I sold my 32 foot sail boat 8 years ago now I wished I had not done that! lol ya have a good day!!

[@richardbutts6512]

I tied a coupla of these and went straight to the river, caught two nice rainbows bam bam one after the other! a 12 inch n 16 inch! Yep I like this one lol

[@jeffjackson5331]

Pretty cool

[@markfritch3168]

Great looking fly Matt. Will tie some up. I noticed that you stripped your body and main hackles for nice vertical wraps. I wondered if you did that with the wings if it would eliminate some trimming and height measurements? Hope your weekend is fun. Thanks for the history also.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Mark! You're absolutely right that you could strip the stems on the wings. I have done that in the past and while it does make it a little cleaner, I found it didn't really save me any time and it was always hit-or-miss if I even got them the right length. So now I just tie them in without doing it. And honestly, if I wasn't making a video and needing to make a pretty thumbnail, I probably would have just left the mess and called it "good enough." :-)

[@comesahorseman]

Interesting! Thanks. 👍

[@wayneandrews1278]

This is a very cool fly you friend need to open up a fly Fishing store

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Wayne! No fly fishing store for me my friend; I’m pretty busy with my day job. 😁

[@arthurshupe7411]

Matt that fly would catch Bluegill here in the state of Florida. Thank’s.

[@mikegerard8712]

Thanks for the the Michigan flies! Just watched the Madsen Skunk and now the Eggie. Always enjoy your presentations. Would like to know what scissors you are using if possible. Thanks Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Mike! I appreciate the kind words my friend. These are Dr. Slick. They’re pretty much the only scissors I’ve used for the last five years or so. I go through about two pairs a year but I do tie quiet often.

[@daviddahl3692]

You make fly tying a pleasure to watch. A ?.. Does it matter what direction the hackel faces ( forw. Or back) when you tie it in? Tnx, Dave👍

[@FlyTyer1948]

What a fascinating history. Kudos to Frankenfly & to you for the follow up. I wish I could try this on the Penobscot. It looks like a fluttering caddis to me. What do you think?

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Bob! I could certainly see this one being effective skating it across smooth water. I have never fished it but I’ll have to give it a try soon. 👍

[@richardjones2129]

G'Mornin Matt! That's a cool pattern that I can see drifting thru riffles n fish taking. Kinda reminds me of a stimulator w/the body hackles. Definitely worth tying. I always appreciate the history lesson on old n forgotten Flys that u tie. I like old patterns n enjoy time @ my vise w/them. Guess I'm gonna have 2 strt looking 4 old fly book 2 recreate recipes of old! Any recommendations of authors? Tks again! God Bless n fish on! Can't wait 4 cooler wthr n watch this in action!

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Richard! If you like wet flies, Ray Bergman’s Trout is a great one. For others, check out Raymond Scott Stetzer’s “Flies the best 1000.” That’s got plenty of historic patterns.

[@richardjones2129]

@@SavageFlies thanks Matt. I will definitely look those up n add 2 my resources as well as fly box! God Bless you n fish on!

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Very handsome. :-)

[@gregleak5134]

Hey Matt could you please do a queen of the water fly. I saw someone else try to do a tutorial and left out how to split a feather andca lot of other techniques in making what looks like a simple tie

[@SavageFlies]

Sure Greg, I can put it on my to-do list. Are you talking about the dry fly or wet?

[@gregleak5134]

I believe that it is a dry fly matt, I have seen it a few ways but they lack greatly in the tutorial abilities.

[@SavageFlies]

@@gregleak5134 So this one maybe? www.cyberflyfishing.com/more-dry-flies/queen-of-the-waters

[@alc609]

You can tell the fly has Appalachian influence

[@SavageFlies]

I agree Al!

[@iangeise2076]

Reminds me of a wasp.