Bear’s Crossdresser Fry

Crossdresser Fry: Great for winter browns and steelWhen I first tied Bear Andrews' creation, I thought it should catch fish in a big way. Then I dropped it into a slow moving pool to observe its waterborne characteristics. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw how much flash that angel hair gave the presentation. Way too much flash for my liking, so I plucked off about half of the angel hair that I had originally installed, then tucked the fly back into my box.

Finally on a dreary and cold November day, after exhausting all other possibilities in my fly box, I signaled to the bullpen and called in the Crossdresser Fry. Once the water temps drop below 38F in the fall, I turn to bottom-bouncing nymphs to hook-up with winterized steelhead. Much to my delight, the Fry dredged up a 20-inch brown.

The Fry fishes well for fall and winter fish, both steelhead and post spawn browns. That’s when I bottom bounce it through deeper pools and runs. During the warmer months, I use it with success as a small streamer for smaller trout. I turn to it mostly when the water is a bit stained from a recent rain.

Here’s the tie:

Hook: TMC 105 size 4 or 6
Thread: 6/0 white
Eyes: small black bead chain
Tail: grizzly marabou and pearl green Angel Hair
Body: Firestar dubbing: front 1/3 fire red, back 2/3 polar ice
Collar: teal flank
Overbody: Peacock herl

CDF11. Tie in black bead chain eyes. Move thread to rear and tie in the tip portion of a grizzly marabou feather.

CDF22. Take a second grizzly marabou feather and tie it in at the tip, immediately in front of the tail. Wrap it two or three ties around the shank to form a grizzly marabou “skirt”. Tie in a couple strands of green Angel hair on each side.

CDF33. Tie in 6 or 7 strands of peacock herl. Let it dangle to the rear for the time being.

CDF44. Dub the body using the polar ice Firestar first, then the fire red Firestar.

CDF55. Tie in the teal flank feather by the tip, immediately behind the eyes. Wind two or three times around the shank. Secure. Move the thread in front of the eyes.

CDF66. Bring the peacock herl over the top and secure in front of the eyes. Secure, trim, whip finish and go fishing.