The Ballyshannon Blacker's pattern. Fly & photo...Marvin Nolte, USA.

This Ballyshannon is taken from Blackers great tome, "The Art of Fly-Making" 1842. It is very different from the pattern that was suggested by Michael Rogan.

The Dressing:

Tag: Puce floss silk.
Tail: G.P. Crest and a little scarlet Ibis, mixed..
Butt: none.
Body: Yellow-brown Mohair.
Ribs: Silver twist.
Hackle: Yellow cock.
Throat: A scarlet hackle round the head.
Wings: Four toppings with strips of Summer Duck, a sprig or two of pheasant tail and neck, a strip of white-tipped turkey tail, a sprig of Guinea hen and Gled or Kite tail;
Cheeks: Blue Kingfisher each side.
Topping: Himalayan Pheasant crest.
Horns: Scarlet Macaw.
Head: Black Ostrich herl.