Grey Ghost Streamer

The Grey Ghost Streamer is an artificial fly, of the streamer type. Its primary function is to imitate smelt. The streamer's wing gives it a swimming action while trolling or using the Dead Drift technique.

Grey Ghost Streamer
Artificial fly
Grey Ghost
Type	Streamer
Imitates	Baitfish, Smelt
History
Creator	Carrie G. Stevens
Created	1924
Materials
Typical sizes	2-4
Thread	Black 6/0
Tail	None
Body	Orange floss
Wing	Golden pheasant crest, four gray hackles of equal length
Ribbing	Flat silver tinsel
Tag	Flat silver tinsel
Cheek	Jungle cock
Shoulder	Silver pheasant body feather
Uses
Primary use	Trout
Reference(s)
Pattern references	Carrie G. Stevens-Maker of Rangeley Favorite Trout and Salmon Flies (2000), Hilyard[1]

The pattern is widespread and is popular along the Northeast of the United States. Many variations of the streamer occur, mostly to cut down on cost and tying time.[2]

Origin

The streamer was first tied in 1924 by commercial fly tyer Carrie G. Stevens of Madison, Maine. She was the wife of Maine fishing guide, Wallace Stevens. She tied many other flies in a style known as the Rangeley style during her free time. Most of her streamers have the jungle cock cheeks in common. The streamer is regarded as one of her best creations.[3] The pattern is mostly used for trout, of which it is successfully fished. When Stevens tested it at the Upper Dam pool she quickly hooked a 6 pound 13 ounce brook trout, which secured her second prize a Field & Stream competition. Afterwards she became even more involved with fly tying.

Materials

Tag- flat silver tinsel

Body- orange floss

Ribbing- flat silver tinsel

Belly Wing- white bucktail, golden pheasant crest, peacock herl

Wing- olive-grey saddle hackle, golden pheasant crest

Shoulder- white and black striped body feather from silver pheasant

Cheeks- jungle cock

Notes

1. Hilyard, Graydon R. and Leslie K. (2000). Carrie G. Stevens-Maker of Rangeley Favorite Trout and Salmon Flies. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. p. 134. ISBN 0811703533.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
2. The Complete Book of Trout Flyfishing. Chartwell Books. 1995.
3. Valla, Mike (2013). "Carrie Stevens (1882-1970)". The Founding Flies-43 American Masters Their Patterns and Influences. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. pp. 126–134. ISBN 9780811708333.