Heritage Flies : Part 9 - Peter Brigg The GUN

Photo: Clem Booth

Heritage Flies - Part 9 The GUN.

Peter Brigg

Until now in these articles I have covered those patterns that have some historical significance locally or more modern variants of the earlier creations. All have being more or less unique to South Africa either as fly that has become well-known locally or because of its tying style and material used.

It’s appropriate to cover from time to time, a more modern fly pattern that is deserving of recognition for its popularity and as a good fly. As with changes in the techniques and styles of fly fishing, the evolution or adaptation of new fly creations generally follow to satisfy these changes. For these reasons its fitting that Gary Glen-Young’s GUN should be the first to be included amongst our heritage flies. It is a perfect example of the important element of fly tying that form should follow function.

The GUN evolved out of Gary’s GForce nymph that in itself went through a process of evolution to arrive at an effective, durable imitation of mayfly nymphs in particular the most common Baetis species, but also serves to imitate black fly larva and midge pupa in small size #18 to 20. However, Gary wanted to add movement triggers and incorporated fine spandex for the tail and legs. He also changed from the standard nymph hooks and dry fly hooks for small sizes on the GForce, to jig hooks on the GUN.

The name came about on a day when he was fishing with Herman Botes. Gary was doing well with his prototype and Herman commented that it had “all the triggers” - The GUN was born.

The GUN is Gary’s heavy nymph pattern intended to imitate Leptophlebiidae and other of the larger mayfly nymphs and stoneflies. In the small sizes #18 to 20 its a very good imitation of the Tricos. Gary commented to the effect, “ I generally fish this fly in black and brown, but some waters the GUN fishes better in silver and black, while on others the Golden Gun works better with gold or brown beads. There are lots of UV elements, with additional movement in the flexible tail and legs that give the perception of life to the fly.”

He went on to say, “this fly is generally fished as a point fly with a size or two smaller GForce as the upper fly on a French/Euronymphing leader. Since it uses a standard or oversized tungsten bead, the greatest amount of the weight of the flies on the leader is concentrated in the GUN.

It is thus tied on a jig hook to have it swim most of the time upside down, making it less likely to hook up on the bottom. For this reason when fishing pocket water, it can be used as a dropper below a dry fly.”

Gary is very particular about the materials used in his flies, all having undergone periods of prototype experimentation and testing. The following is a list of the materials he recommends for the GUN. For the tying process, it is suggested that you search Google for, The GUN Jig fly pattern by Gary Glen-Young.

Dressing for the GUN Hook – Grip 14037BL or Fasna F-420. Good alternatives are the Dohiku HDJ and Fulling Mill Jig Force Barbless. Bead - Silver slotted tungsten bead. Thread - Nanosilk 50 denier in white. Tail - Hareline Daddy Long Legs (Spanflex) in black. Thorax - Hareline Ice Dub - UV Black. Body - 1604 or 3204 UV flashabou coloured top and sides with a black permanent marker, then coated with a fine UV resin. Butt (optional) - Fluorescent thread in chartreuse. Wing case - 1604 or 3204 UV Flashabou coated with a fine layer of UV resin.

Recommended hook and bead sizes #14 3,5mm Tungsten #16 3,0mm Tungsten #18 2,5mm Tungsten

For Golden GUN, change the bead & wire colour to gold, UV Ice Olive Brown for thorax, hot orange butt and brown spanflex.

The GUN is a very good fly, effective and well-designed based on Gary’s experience and trial and error, it incorporates important fish attracting features - triggers. A fly that should be included in every fly fishers fly box.