The Milwaukee Spey
milwaukee0.jpg a spey pattern for steelhead
The Milwaukee Spey was created to combine the black/pink colors that are so effective on steelhead into a pattern that would trigger strikes under most conditions of clarity & temperature. Black flies have a good silhouette, & pink gives a splash of hot color. The pattern has been effective on the winter run steelies in Wisconsin's Lake Michigan tributaries.
Hook: Alec Jackson #1 1/2 or equivilant Any long shank, light wire salmon model
Body: Half hot pink, half black seal Any seal substitute may be used
Ribs: Medium flat & fine oval silver tinsel  5 turns only, with the oval following the flat in touching turns
Hackle: Imitation heron belly dyed hot pink From the 2nd turn of tinsel. Strip one side, & tie in by the tip, from the 2nd or 3rd turn of ribbing.
Throat: Mallard flank dyed hot pink Two turns, "doubled"
Wing: Strips of black goose Set low & flat( tent-like), by reversing the thread
Head: Black thread 6/0-12/0