The Ross Macdonald Collection

[PerryPoker]

Inspired by the cracking thread - The Black Arts by Dr.Patrick recently, I thought I’d do something similar with the patterns created by Ross MacDonald. For those of you who don’t follow the Tie of the Month threads, I’m a big fan of his tying and my fly boxes are never without one or two of his patterns in them.

His style is something I always try to emulate when tying his patterns but I can never quite get them to look the way he does. Despite this, my versions work well enough so I can’t really complain in that respect.

First up and arguably the most famous pattern Ross has created is the Park Shrimp. Tried and tested on the famous River Dee beat that it shares its name with, this pattern accounts for a lot of fish each season. Equally effective whether dressed on a tube or a hook it is always worth a swim.

Tag: Oval gold tinsel
Tail: Yellow arctic runner sandwiched in between to shorter lengths of Orange with some gold angle hair mixed in
Butt: Gold lite bright dubbed on
Rib: Pearl mylar
Body: Black seal fur
Wing: Black runner or fox Jungle cock cheek
Hackle: Orange badger over yellow cock hackle

Next up is the deadly Calvin Shrimp. This pattern has a huge following and is one not to do without, especially on the Tyne and spate rivers in Ireland.

Tag: Oval gold
Tail: Red runner, orange runner (long), pink runner
Rib: Oval gold
Body: Red seal fur
Wing: Orange runner or fox jungle cock cheeks
Hackle: Red badger over orange cock hackle
Head: Orange

The Lochy Shrimp is a pattern that has all the elements associated with clear water and grilse! Blue, Yellow and Silver are a sure fire winner when it comes to tying a fly that summer salmon can’t resist.

Tag: Oval silver
Tail: Black runner with yellow runner on top
Rib: Oval silver
Body: Silver lite brite dubbing
Hackle: Blue badger
Jungle cock cheeks
Head: Red

Mairi’s Shrimp is probably my favourite pattern of the bunch. I love the subtle claret colour with the hint of a dull yellow for the wing. This pattern has served me well over the years and is excellent when the river is carrying a peat stain.

Tag: Oval gold
Tail: Claret buck tail
Butt: Gold dubbing
Rib: Oval gold
Body: Claret seal fur
Wing: Yellow fox
Hackle: Claret cock hackle
Jungle cock cheeks
Head: Red


Next up is Maggie’s Shrimp. Another pattern derived from the banks of Aberdeenshire River Dee. This is another fly that works well tied on a tube for early season fishing in February and March.

Tag: Oval silver
Tail: Yellow runner, black runner, yellow runner
Butt: Silver lite brite dubbing
Rib: Pearl Mylar
Body: Black seal fur
Wing: Black runner or fox with jungle cheeks
Hackle: Yellow cock

Last, but certainly not least is one of the lesser known patterns from the Ross MacDonald stable - Heather’s Shrimp. The concept of his shrimp flies are very similar and this one is no different. The Black and Chartreuse colour combo with the silver lite brite butt is great for spring fishing and I prefer this on tied on tubes. However, I’ve kept the theme going by tying this on a #9 Salar Double as I think this style of hook lends itself very well to his patterns. I just find flies don’t have the same look when tied on a hook with a straighter shank. Maybe it’s just me?

Tag: Oval silver
Tail: Black runner, chartreuse runner, black runner
Butt: Silver lite brite dubbing
Rib: Pearl mylar
Body: Black dubbing
Wing: Black runner or fox
Hackle: Chartreuse badger (used on original)
Jungle cock cheeks
Head: Black

A group shot of all 6 patterns together. I am not the best at photographing flies with just a phone to do it with but hopefully I’ve managed to do these deadly patterns some kind of justice with my tying of them.

 

[Jockiescott]

Fantastic post and excellent tying.

Thank you for taking the time.

Brilliant!!! ?

 

[lefthandup]

Great looking flies...not heavily dressed,just how I like em.

 

[FaughanPurple]

Beautiful collection and just in time for the rains ???

 

[pellinore]

yum yum

 

[Salarfinder]

Fantastic post. I think pretty much the same as you about Ross’s flies.

 

[Salmonkid]

This is some excellent tying pal!

 

[pfeul]

Also loves Ross flies, and your tying is among the very close to his I've ever seen.
Just a tiny pinch of everything that makes the fly not heavy and incredibly lively in the stream as compared to too many attempts seen on the forum
The park, the calvin and especially the lochy shrimp are always present in a box for the day depending on the conditions and they are great fish catchers.

wonderful post!

 

[DrPatrickT]

Brilliant tying PP - and thanks for taking the time to pull together a comprehensive list of materials, tie them, photo them and post. I know how much time it takes. Now printed these pages so I have them handy. I've managed fish on Calvins, Park and Lochy -(great grilse fly) - your versions look awesome - you've definitely got that 'shabby chic' as someone once described Ross' flies. Must get some Mairi shrimps done ASAP - as I think as well as peaty water - they could be good for back-end. Let's hope the thread gets a 'sticky' status. Great stuff Dude.

 

[Clydebuilt]

Cracking post PP,
Some great inspiration for me
First class

 

[phil.b]

They look braw PP

 

[FISHBOY1]

Crackers like the sparse tying mairi and calvins like them ?

 

[PerryPoker]

Thanks for the kind words folks. Its much appreciated. Credit to Patrick, he came up with a great idea for a thread and I just jumped on the bandwagon so to speak. It's a good way of putting a nice thread together for flies that I use all the time. Hopefully it has inspired a few to try some of Ross' lesser known patterns as well.

 

[mc andy]

Fantastic post and collection of flies. Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing ? ? ? ?

 

[Karl-K]

Great post and fantastic flies, I do tend to dress my flies a bit too heavy, I do like the couple for spring, I will have to knock a few up over Winter

 

[Loxie]

Fabulous tying, I can never get a park shrimp to look that good.

 

[Lamson v10]

Absolutely fantastic fly's PerryPoker ? and a fantastic post ?? a big thank's for taking the time to post it ??and hopefully like Dr PatrickT's post it will be made into a sticky

Arnold

 

[Woodsy]

Brilliant post, thanks

 

[ellipse]

A great collection and worthy of being a sticky.
Thank you for sharing.

 

[Andrzej]

Excellent flies ?

 

[Hardyreels]

Hello everyone

I've been away battling sea sickness since Friday (rough seas and Halibut / Cod fishing) it's all good until the boat stops I always say............

I've taken the request of one of our fellow fly fanciers and made this thread a sticky. Risking sounding like an echo I'll say that these are a wonderful display of patterns and tying skills!

No I didn't heave over the rail but spent many an uncomfortable hour on Saturday. Difficult to keep ones legs beneath yourself as the sea rolled and churned. We got a nice bunch of fish but I was very happy to feel land underfoot by evening.

Ard

 

[PETEY]

Hello everyone

I've been away battling sea sickness since Friday (rough seas and Halibut / Cod fishing) it's all good until the boat stops I always say............

I've taken the request of one of our fellow fly fanciers and made this thread a sticky. Risking sounding like an echo I'll say that these are a wonderful display of patterns and tying skills!

No I didn't heave over the rail but spent many an uncomfortable hour on Saturday. Difficult to keep ones legs beneath yourself as the sea rolled and churned. We got a nice bunch of fish but I was very happy to feel land underfoot by evening.

Ard

How long does an average halibut keep you in fish dinners?

 

[Grassy_Knollington]

Great idea for a post PP, enhanced by your usual high quality tying.

For me the Ross Macdonald patterns can be distinguished by the sparing use of materials and the way in which the Hackles stand proud of the hook instead of being swept back - as is more commonly seen.

Sounds easy, but it definitely isn’t, (I think I’ve tied one Park Shrimp I’m happy with).

You’ve got the style bang on!

 

[ibm59]

Flies dressed by Ross himself have a controlled scruffiness that is hard to replicate.

 

[Sewinboy]

Great flies. I was hoping to tie some Calvin shrimps, but have not been able to source any arctic runner. Can anyone indicate where I can buy some or suggest an alternative material. Thanks