Fly Tying Inventory
Quill Gordon
One of the most historic American dry fly patterns, created by Theodore Gordon — the 'Father of American Dry Fly Fishing' — in the late 1800s for Catskill rivers. The stripped peacock quill body creates a translucent, beautifully segmented appearance that imitates the Epeorus pleuralis mayfly. This early-season pattern is beloved for its elegant, sparse silhouette and represents a cornerstone of the Catskill dry fly tradition.
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Materials
Standard dry fly hook, sizes 12-16
Tan or gray 8/0 (70 denier)
Medium or dark dun hackle fibers
Stripped peacock quill (herl with fibers removed)
Lemon wood duck flank feathers, upright and divided
Medium or dark dun dry fly hackle
How to Tie the Quill Gordon
- 1
Step 1
Mount hook and start tan thread, wrapping a base to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Prepare wood duck flank feather and tie in as upright, divided wings at the 1/3 point from the eye.
Authentic patterns use lemon-barred wood duck. If unavailable, dyed mallard flank works.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in a small bunch of dark dun hackle fibers for the tail.
- 4
Step 4
Strip a peacock quill of its fibers to expose the banded quill. Tie in at the bend and wrap forward to the wings.
Soak the quill in water before wrapping to prevent cracking. Apply a coat of UV resin or head cement after wrapping for durability.
- 5
Step 5
Wind dark dun hackle both behind and in front of the wings, 3-4 turns.
- 6
Step 6
Build a small thread head, whip finish, and apply head cement.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58nngYmVb_o
Credit: Theodore Gordon (late 1800s), 'Father of American Dry Fly Fishing'