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“If you’ve swung flies on the Naknek this fall, chances are good that you’ll recognize this fly. In fact, if you’ve fished anywhere in Alaska, ever, you’ve probably spent a fair bit of time fishing the Dolly Llama. Originally designed for Bull Trout in Oregon and Washington, the Dolly Llama has caught so many salmon and trout in Alaska that it could easily be crowned as the state fly. The name of the game, as with so many successful fly patterns, is versatility. This fly is originally intended to imitate a leech, with its flowing and pulsating rabbit fur fibers. However, by playing with size and color, the Dolly Llama is equally effective at imitating sculpin, small trout, and even broken down salmon flesh. Swing it, strip it, or dead drift it, but don’t show up to the river without it.” – Jack Reis
Materials:
- Trailer Hook: Gamakatsu Octopus – sz 4
- Lead Hook: Ahrex TP605 – sz 1
- Connection: Backing or Intruder Wire
- Thread: UTC 140 – Chartreuse
- Body: Rabbit Strip – Charcoal, White
- Collar: Rabbit Fur – Charcoal
- Flash: Lateral Scale
- Head: Cone Head
Previous Fly Tying Fridays:
Wow! Deadly looking sculpin fly. Harry Lemire’s fly boxes were stuffed with his sculpin pattern which he used on winter sth’d.
Thanks for posting this. I’ll be tying some up!
How do you tie this fly so that it doesn’t spin? In the video, I would assume the bend/point of that size 1 hook would keel the fly and keep it riding true. In single hook only water, the white strip of rabbit will spin the fly 10/10 times without fail.
Or is this “feature” of the fly intended?
Thanks,
We used this fly to catch sea run Dollies on the Wulik. Hundred fish hookups were common in a day.