Green-Tailed Kate Hedgehog

The Kate McLaren is a fly I’ve sung the praises of many time before and the competition borne green-tailed version was one of many variations that came about, however it’s also one that’s survived and is present in many wild anglers fly boxes.

Using “Glowbrite Fluorescent Floss” in the tail of flies is commonplace nowadays but the combination of the lime green (Glowbrite No. 11) and the predominantly black colour of the Kate McLaren was a winner from the start. That said many anglers still prefer to use “Glowbrite No. 12” which is a darker shade of green (you could say a true green as opposed to the lime green / yellow colour of the No. 11 floss) but I’ve not found this shade to be as effective so I’ve pretty much stuck with the colour as shown. I have been told that the darker green works better if fishing this fly deep, to be honest I can’t say I’ve really noticed the difference and the G-T Kate has struck gold for me when I’ve had to use it ‘down and dirty’.

There is a tutorial from me on the Muddler version of this fly amongst these very Partridge pages, and if I was pressed, I’d admit that the muddler in a bigger wave is slightly better so the obvious step from here is to the Hedgehog version I’m demonstrating here.

Hedgehogs hail pretty much from Orkney, or at least how we know them today do and this style of tying is a go-to dressing for me when chasing wild loch trout (also handy with our stocked fish).

My G-T Kate Hog has certainly not let me down, especially when used on darker, peaty style waters the north of Scotland is so famous for. But it is not limited to here and it has also worked for me in the salt when chasing silver trout given its general impressionistic profile and fish attention grabbing action.

So that’s an introduction to the G-T Kate Hog for you all, all that’s left is for you to add this to your collection and head out to make your own memories with it.

Dressing:

Hook; Sprite S1401 All Purpose Dry #10-14 or Partridge K5A Dry Fly Supreme #10-14. (Note for migratory fish or if I want the fly to sit a little deeper into the surface film which can be required in a big wave; I switch to Partridge G3A/L Wet Fly Supreme #10-14)

Thread; Semperfli black 8/0 waxed thread
Tail; Glowbrite Floss shade number 11
Body; Semperfli “Sparkle Dub” in black
Wing; Natural Roe Deer Hair (from the back of the animal as it doesn’t flare too much and it much easier to use)
Legs; Semperfli double knotted natural coloured pheasant tail
Head; Medium Olive “Glister”

Step 1. Secure thread onto hook

Step 2. Take a 6” (150mm) length of floss)

Step 3. Fold the floss twice and tie in on top of hook shank

Step 4. Tie in with thread, trim the tail square at the rear of the hook leaving approximately ½” (12mm) overhang off bend

Step 5. Take a bunch of deer hair cutting tight to skin

Step 6. Stack the hair then set onto rear of hook facing backwards slightly short of the tail.

Step 7. Hold the hair on top of the hook tightly and secure with a few tight thread turns allowing the 'tag' ends to flare out. (Note don't drag hair round hook)

Step 8. Draw all 'tag' ends together then cut away tight to hook shank

Step 9. Secure cur hair ends and dub on (sparse) body and cover thread turns

Step 10. Repeat steps 5 - 8 with a second bunch of hair tied directly in front of the first section. Note Hair tips should sit just in front of the first bunch)

Step 11. Repeat step 9 securing the cut ends and adding in the dubbed body.

Step 12. Repeat steps 5 - 9 with a third and then 4th bunch of hair forming a continuous wing along the top of the hook

Step 13. Secure the final bunch trimmed ends with thread but don’t add body dubbing

Step 14. Select half a dozen PT knotted legs.

Note Adding the legs is optional and I don’t do this with all my Hogs as sometimes this can effect the profile of the fly meaning best to have examples tied both with and without and sticking to the style that proves most successful

Step 15. Tie the legs in splitting half to one side, half to the opposite side

Step 16. Take the Glister and dub onto thread to form head.

Step 17. Apply varnish to thread as this way it prevents the dubbed head drawing it in when finishing fly. Whip finish and trim thread, then brush ‘Glister’ back up into wing.

Finished fly black background

Finished fly blue background

Finished Fly view 1

Finished Fly view 2

Allan Liddle

Based in Moray in Scotland's North East, Allan has specialises with the wild trout from the rivers and burns, lochs and lochans throughout Mainland Scotland and the Isles. A strong passion for fishing simple dries he feels there's nothing better than to see the fish take off the top, but isn't slow to fish a range of different styles when mood or conditions dictate. Although trout is his first love Allan occasionally chases the Salmon, Grayling stocked fish and even dabbles in salt water when the chance arises.

Allan has also represented Scotland at international level, is a GAIA qualified trout instructor and a has been a regular contributor to Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Magazine for almost twenty years. Allan’s love of fly tying spans almost thirty years and has been a regular at many tying demonstrations and work shops prior to, and since joining the Partridge Pro-Team in 2013.