Firehole Demon — Derivative of Big Hole Demon

Firehole Demon

By Pete Narancich, Sheridan, MT 1960s, submitted by Mike Cline.

Description

The Firehole Demon is a derivative of the Big Hole Demon fly (Photo #3) popularized by Dan Bailey and Joe Brooks. It was developed by Pete Narancich in the 1960s, a rancher who routinely fished the Lower Big Hole River. The bright tinsel body and badger or furnace hackle made for an excellent baitfish imitation in the tea colored waters of the Lower Big Hole. The Big Hole Demon inspired me to adapt its characteristics to a woolly bugger style streamer for use on the Big Hole as well as the tea colored waters of the Firehole and Gibbon rivers in Yellowstone National Park. Key elements include the use of a bright tinsel underbody and either badger or furnace hackle to create the appearance of a lateral line against the shinny underbody.

Tying Process

Key tying points are tying the hackle in by the tip at the hook bend before wrapping the underbody. The underbody is wrapped with strands of Polar Flash tied in just behind the hook eye, wrapped back to the hook bend and forward again to just behind the hook eye. This creates a clean thicker base for the hackle. Before wrapping the hackle apply a thin coat of UV resin to cover the Polar Flash but do not cure. Wrap the hackle forward with even spacing and secure just behind the hook eye. Cure the UV resin. This locks the hackle to the Polar Flash body. Sluff off any UV resin clinging to the hackle fibers. Finish the fly with a smooth head.

Materials

Hooks

Target species: Trout

Fly types: Streamer