Quill Cahill

 During the mid 1930’s Ray Bergman published his iconic book “Trout”.  This book was considered to be the bible of fly fishing.  One of the patterns featured was the Quill Cahill.  It quickly became a very commonly used fly.  Its popularity was due to the fact that it combined two of the most widely used patterns of that time, the Quill Gordon and the Light Cahill.  With subsequent changes in fly tying techniques and materials over the years this pattern has fallen out of the popularity it enjoyed in the 30’s and 40’s.  I tied some up recently and could see why it was a popular pattern all those years ago.  I really enjoy tying the Catskill style of dry flies.

Hook :        Dry fly # 12-18

Thread :     Lt. cahill 8/0

Wing :        Wood duck flank tied upright and divided

Body :        Stripped peacock eye quill

Tail :           Lt ginger hackle fibers

Hackle :      Lt. ginger

John Lazar

Fly tied by John Lazar