Alexandra, Why?

**AuSableTrophyhunter** · 08-09-2010, 03:24 PM

I remember the first time I watched my copy of mr Wotton's Wet Fly Ways and saw his praise for the Alexandra. The Alexandra is a quaint fly that appears beautiful when dry and when wet it is hardly there. Yet, I trusted Davy and have been using this excellent fly as a tail fly for years now and it comes through no matter what the conditions. Even as I unhook yet another trout, I look at the wet Alexandra and the peacock sword is mashed down and the pattern is slim silver with a hint of red and the dark dorsal side that was the puffy sword when dry. I think it looks like a tiny minnow, yet fish of all sizes will hammer this late 19th Century fly like it was just created by one of the contemporary big name fly creators whose complex creations are featured in the magazines and fly catalogues of today.
I really dont know why it works so well or what the inspiration for this fly was but I dont go fishing without it. If Davy, reads this, I hope he discusses what sizes he fishes the Alexandra in. I use a a #10 2xl long 2x heavy hook. Obviously, the upward limit of this fly is governed by the length of the peacock sword you can obtain. I like to rib the silver tinsel with blue wire.

**Davyfly** · 08-09-2010, 06:26 PM

Pleased you like this fly.
It can be tied in many sizes for sure from small regular hooks as a wet fly to large streamer style, in fact it is considered to be one of the best streamer flies for sea trout and works great for salmon.
The fly an also be tied as a multi hook tandem rig, two or 3 hooks
No doubt it is a great fly to represent both pin fry and larger bait fish.
It can be a deadly fly to use late evening into dark.

It is also called the Lady of the Lake and was at one time banned on one famous fishery in the UK, would you believe.

I have use also many variations from the original, here are a few of those.
Body is gold tinsel not silver.
Thorax region is red seal fur.
Hackle red.
Overwing teal ( I posted a pic of this fly last year on TPO)
Jungle cock cheeks.

Mainly l use 10/12/14 regular hooks for my wet fly use.

There is another fly l would suggest you also consider called the Peter Ross.

Davy.

**frankm205** · 08-09-2010, 07:18 PM

Is there a tutorial anywhere for the Alexandria?

**prguhl** · 08-20-2010, 11:54 PM

Davy,

Are you recommending the Peter Ross Dabbler or standard Peter Ross (tail GP tippets, rib silver wire, body 2 parts, rear flat silver, front red seals fur,hackle black cock, wing well barred teal)?

Or are both flies worth a try?

Peter

**Davyfly** · 08-21-2010, 10:16 AM

The standard Peter Ross wet fly.

Tail. GP tippets
Body. 2/3 silver 1/3 blood red seal fur or sub
Rib. oval silver tinsel
Hackle. Black rooster or hen, I also use a blood red hackle at times.
Wing. Teal... Widgeon and Gadwell for larger hooks. so long as it is well barred feather.

Frank.

I did deal with tying this fly on my new Wet Fly Tying DVD.

There are many variations from the standard which is.

Tail. A slip of red feather, it used to call for Ibis now illegal. Goose and duck quill is good.
Body. Silver tinsel with oval silver rib.
Wing. Peacock sword.
Cheeks a thin strip of red feather. Some prefer jungle cock and no red tail, it is sword tail.

DW