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.