Green Highlander
The Green Highlander is one of the most beautiful of the classic Atlantic salmon flies, developed for Scottish Highland rivers in the 19th century. Its vivid green and yellow coloration makes it stand out in peaty, amber-stained Highland water where duller patterns disappear. The multi-section body, bright hackle, and mixed wing create a complex, living silhouette. Fish it on a Spey rod swung through pools on Scottish rivers from April through October.
- Type
- wet fly (Atlantic Salmon)
- Hook sizes
- #4–10
- Target species
- salmon
- Difficulty
- advanced
- Best seasons
- spring, summer
Materials
- hook: Salmon hook #4–10
- thread: Black
- tag: Oval gold tinsel + golden floss
- tail: Golden pheasant crest + Indian crow
- body: Rear: yellow floss; front: green seal fur, both ribbed with gold
- hackle: Orange at junction, bright green front collar
Tying steps
- Mount a salmon hook; build a tag of gold tinsel and golden floss.
- Add a golden pheasant crest tail.
- Wind a rear body section of yellow floss with oval gold tinsel rib.
- Wind a front body of bright green seal's fur with gold rib.
- Tie in orange hackle at the junction and green hackle as a front collar.
- Build a mixed wing of bronze mallard, yellow, and green feather strips.
- Add jungle cock cheeks and golden pheasant topping.
- Build a neat head; whip finish and lacquer.